Clitoral hood

Clitoral hood
Clitoral hood
	A photograph of a human vulva with outlined clitoral hood
	Outer anatomy of clitoris.
Details
Precursor	Genital tubercle, urogenital folds
System	Reproductive system
Identifiers
Latin	preputium clitoridis
TA98	A09.2.01.009
TA2	3555
FMA	20169
	Anatomical terminology [ edit on Wikidata]

Last updated November 19, 2024

In female humans and other mammals,^[1] the clitoral hood (also called preputium clitoridis, clitoral prepuce, and clitoral foreskin)^[2] is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the glans of the clitoris; it also covers the external clitoral shaft, develops as part of the labia minora and is homologous with the foreskin (also called the prepuce) in the male reproductive system.^[3]^[4]^[5] The clitoral hood is composed of mucocutaneous tissues; these tissues are between the mucous membrane and the skin, and they may have immunological importance because they may be a point of entry of mucosal vaccines.^[6]

Development and variation

The clitoral hood is formed during the fetal stage by the cellular lamella.^[6] The cellular lamella grows down on the dorsal side of the clitoris and is eventually fused with the clitoris.

The clitoral hood varies in the size, shape, thickness, and other aesthetic aspects. Some women have large clitoral hoods that completely cover the clitoral glans. Some of these can be retracted to expose the clitoral glans, such as for hygiene purposes or for pleasure; others do not retract. Other women have smaller hoods that do not cover the full length of the clitoral glans, leaving the clitoral glans exposed all the time. Sticky bands of tissue called adhesions can form between the hood and the glans; these stick the hood onto the glans so the hood cannot be pulled back to expose the glans and smegma can accumulate.^{[ citation needed ]}

Stimulation

The clitoral glans itself is very sensitive and its direct stimulation, such as in cases where the hood is retracted, is often not enjoyable.^[7] Females with hoods covering most of the clitoral glans can often masturbate by stimulating the hood over the clitoral glans; those with smaller, or more compact, structures tend to rub the clitoral glans and hood together.^[7] The clitoral hood provides protection to the clitoral glans, analogous to the foreskin on the penile glans.^[3]

Modifications

In most of the world, clitoral modifications are uncommon. In some cultures, female genital mutilation (FGM) is practiced as a rite of passage into womanhood, is perceived as an improvement to the appearance of the genitalia, or is used to suppress or reduce female sexual desire and pleasure (including masturbation).^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11] During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, FGM was performed on many children in Western countries, including the United States, to discourage masturbation and reduce diseases believed to relate to it.^[12]^[13]

One modification that females sometimes choose is to have the hood pierced and insert jewelry, both for adornment and physical pleasure. Though less common, other females opt to have their own hood surgically trimmed or removed so as to permanently expose part or all of the clitoral glans.

Other animals

Regarding the clitoral prepuce in non-primate mammals, there is a similar structure typically referred to as the clitoral sheath, which is homologous to the penile sheath in male mammals.^[14]^[15]

Related Research Articles

In amniotes, the clitoris is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female sexual pleasure. The clitoris is a complex structure, and its size and sensitivity can vary. The visible portion, the glans, of the clitoris is typically roughly the size and shape of a pea and is estimated to have at least 8,000 nerve endings.

Clitoridectomy or clitorectomy is the surgical removal, reduction, or partial removal of the clitoris. It is rarely used as a therapeutic medical procedure, such as when cancer has developed in or spread to the clitoris. Commonly, non-medical removal of the clitoris is performed during female genital mutilation.

The labia minora, also known as the inner labia, inner lips, or nymphae, are two flaps of skin that are part of the primate vulva, extending outwards from the inner vaginal and urethral openings to encompass the vestibule. At the glans clitoris, each labium splits, above forming the clitoral hood, and below the frenulum of the clitoris. At the bottom, the labia meet at the labial commissure. The labia minora vary widely in size, color and shape from individual to individual.

A clitoral hood piercing is a female genital piercing through the clitoral hood surrounding the clitoris. In addition to being an adornment, a clitoral hood piercing can enhance sexual pleasure during masturbation, foreplay and intercourse. In an empirical study at the University of South Alabama, the authors reported a positive relationship between vertical clitoral hood piercings and desire, frequency of intercourse, and sexual arousal. There are two main types of clitoral hood piercing: the vertical clitoral hood (VCH) piercing and the horizontal clitoral hood (HCH) piercing. As the names indicate, the difference is in the direction the piercing is oriented in the skin above the clitoris. Neither of these piercings penetrates the clitoris itself, although in common parlance they are sometimes called "clit" piercings. The deep hood piercing is a variation of the clitoral hood piercing that passes deeper through the clitoral hood.

Infibulation is the ritual removal of the vulva and its suturing, a practice found mainly in northeastern Africa, particularly in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. The World Health Organization refers to the procedure as Type III female genital mutilation.

Smegma is a combination of shed skin cells, skin oils, and moisture. It occurs in both male and female mammalian genitalia. In females, it collects around the clitoris and in the folds of the labia minora; in males, smegma collects under the foreskin.

Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin of the penis cannot stretch to allow it to be pulled back past the glans. A balloon-like swelling under the foreskin may occur with urination. In teenagers and adults, it may result in pain during an erection, but is otherwise not painful. Those affected are at greater risk of inflammation of the glans, known as balanitis, and other complications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frenulum</span> Small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body

A frenulum or frenum is a small fold of tissue that secures the motion of a mobile organ in the body.

The glans is a vascular structure located at the tip of the penis in male mammals or a homologous genital structure of the clitoris in female mammals.

Genital piercing is a form of body piercing that involves piercing a part of the genitalia, thus creating a suitable place for wearing different types of jewellery. Nevertheless, the term may also be used pars pro toto to indicate all body piercings in the area of the anus, perineum, penis, scrotum, and vulva, including piercings such as anal, guiche, and pubic that do not involve perforation of genitalia. Genital piercings can be done regardless of sex, with various forms of piercings available. The main motive is beautification and individualization; in addition, some piercings enhance sexual pleasure by increasing stimulation. Pre-modern genital piercings is most culturally widespread in Southeast Asia, where it has been part of traditional practice since ancient times. Records of genital piercing are found in the Kama Sutra.

The labia are the major externally visible structures of the vulva. In humans and other primates, there are two pairs of labia: the labia majora are large and thick folds of skin that cover the vulva's other parts, while the labia minora are the folds of skin between the outer labia that surround and protect the urethral and vaginal openings, as well as the glans clitoris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fingering (sexual act)</span> Use of fingers to sexually stimulate

Fingering is sexual stimulation of the vulva or vagina by using the fingers. Vaginal fingering is legally and medically called digital penetration or digital penetration of the vagina. The term "digital" takes its significance from the English word 'digit', which refers to a finger, thumb, or toe. Fingering may also include the use of fingers to stimulate the anus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulval vestibule</span> Part of the vulva that contains the openings

The vulval vestibule is the part of the vulva between the labia minora. At the innermost part are the vaginal introitus and urinary meatus. The Bartholin's and Skene's glands each have two openings to the vestibule on the inside. The outer edge, marked by a coloration difference in the tissues, is called Hart's line, named after David Berry Hart.

The corpus cavernosum of the clitoris is one of a pair of sponge-like regions of erectile tissue that engorge with blood during an erection. This is homologous to the corpus cavernosum of the penis. The term corpora cavernosa literally means "cave-like bodies".

The frenulum of the penis, often known simply as the frenulum or frenum, is a thin elastic strip of tissue on the underside of the glans and the neck of the human penis. In men who are not circumcised, it also connects the foreskin to the glans and the ventral mucosa. In adults, the frenulum is typically supple enough to allow manual movement of the foreskin over the glans and help retract the foreskin during erection. In flaccid state, it tightens to narrow the foreskin opening.

Clitoral hood reduction, also termed clitoral hoodectomy, clitoral unhooding, clitoridotomy, or (partial) hoodectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure for reducing the size and the area of the clitoral hood in order to further expose the glans of the clitoris.

In mammals, the vulva comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract, starting at the vaginal opening. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands. The folds of the outer and inner labia provide a double layer of protection for the vagina. Pelvic floor muscles support the structures of the vulva. Other muscles of the urogenital triangle also give support.

Nigeria has the highest rate of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the world in total numbers. It is usually experienced by girls aged 0 to 15 years old. It involves either partial or complete removal of the vulva or other injury to the female genital organs and has no medical benefit.

References

↑ Lambrecht, Bart N.; Kelsall, Brian L.; Cheroutre, Hilde; Mestecky, Jiri; Russel, Michael W.; Strober, Warren (2015). Mucosal Immunology: Volume 2. Elsevier Science. p. 2131. ISBN 978-0-12415-975-4 . Retrieved November 20, 2023.
↑ Patton, Kevin T.; Thibodeau, Gary A. (2012). Anthony's Textbook of Anatomy & Physiology - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1064. ISBN 978-0-32370-930-9 . Retrieved October 11, 2023.
1 2 Sloane, Ethel (2002). Biology of Women. Cengage Learning. p. 32. ISBN 0766811425 . Retrieved August 25, 2012.
↑ Crooks, Robert; Baur, Karla (2010). Our Sexuality. Cengage Learning. p. 54. ISBN 978-0495812944 . Retrieved August 30, 2012.
↑ Mulhall, John P. (2011). John P. Mulhall; Luca Incrocci; Irwin Goldstein; Ray Rosen (eds.). Cancer and Sexual Health. Springer. pp. 13–22. ISBN 978-1-60761-915-4 . Retrieved 23 June 2012.
1 2 Cold, C.J.; Taylor, T.R. (1999). "The Prepuce". British Journal of Urology . 83 (1): 34–44. doi: 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.0830s1034.x . PMID 10349413. S2CID 30559310.
1 2 Carroll, Janell L. (2009). Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. Cengage Learning. pp. 118 and 252. ISBN 978-0-495-60274-3 . Retrieved 23 June 2012. The clitoral glans is a particularly sensitive receptor and transmitter of sexual stimuli. In fact, the clitoris, although much smaller than the penis, has twice the number of nerve endings (8,000) as the penis (4,000) and has a higher concentration of nerve fibers than anywhere else on the body... In fact, most women do not enjoy direct stimulation of the glans and prefer stimulation through the [hood]... The majority of women enjoy a light caressing of the shaft of the clitoris, together with an occasional circling of the [clitoral glans], and maybe digital (finger) penetration of the vagina. Other women dislike direct stimulation and prefer to have the [clitoral glans] rolled between the lips of the labia. Some women like to have the entire area of the vulva caressed, whereas others like the caressing to be focused on the [clitoral glans].
↑ Link text, "Engaging Cultural Differences: The Multicultural Challenge in Liberal Democracies," Chapter 11, Schweder, et al., 2002.
↑ Momoh, Comfort (2005). "Female Genital Mutation". In Momoh, Comfort (ed.). Female Genital Mutilation. Radcliffe Publishing. pp. 5–12. ISBN 978-1-85775-693-7.
↑ Koroma, Hannah (30 September 1997). "What is Female Genital Mutilation?". Amnesty International. p. 2. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
↑ "Female genital mutilation". World Health Organization (WHO). 2012 [2008]. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
↑ Duffy, John (October 19, 1963). "Masturbation and Clitoridectomy: A Nineteenth-Century View". JAMA. 186 (3): 246–248. doi:10.1001/jama.1963.63710030028012. PMID 14057114.
↑ Rodriguez, Sarah W. (2008). "Rethinking the history of female circumcision and clitoridectomy: American medicine and female sexuality in the late nineteenth century". Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences. 63 (3): 323–347. doi:10.1093/jhmas/jrm044. PMID 18065832. S2CID 9234753.
↑ Kitalyi, A.; Owen, E.; Jayasuria, N.; Smith, T. (2020). Livestock and Wealth Creation: Improving the Husbandry of Animals Kept By Resource-Poor People in Developing Countries. 5m publishing. p. 337. ISBN 978-1-91045-577-7.
↑ Hodges, Frederick Mansfield; Denniston, George C.; Milos, Marilyn Fayre (2007). Male and Female Circumcision: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Practice. Springer US. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-58539-937-9.

External links

"The Female Perineum: The Vulva". Archived from the original on 10 March 2016.

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[1] Lambrecht, Bart N.; Kelsall, Brian L.; Cheroutre, Hilde; Mestecky, Jiri; Russel, Michael W.; Strober, Warren (2015). Mucosal Immunology: Volume 2. Elsevier Science. p. 2131. ISBN 978-0-12415-975-4 . Retrieved November 20, 2023.

[2] Patton, Kevin T.; Thibodeau, Gary A. (2012). Anthony's Textbook of Anatomy & Physiology - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1064. ISBN 978-0-32370-930-9 . Retrieved October 11, 2023.

[Sloane-3] 1 2 Sloane, Ethel (2002). Biology of Women. Cengage Learning. p. 32. ISBN 0766811425 . Retrieved August 25, 2012.

[Crooks-4] Crooks, Robert; Baur, Karla (2010). Our Sexuality. Cengage Learning. p. 54. ISBN 978-0495812944 . Retrieved August 30, 2012.

[Mulhall-5] Mulhall, John P. (2011). John P. Mulhall; Luca Incrocci; Irwin Goldstein; Ray Rosen (eds.). Cancer and Sexual Health. Springer. pp. 13–22. ISBN 978-1-60761-915-4 . Retrieved 23 June 2012.

[Cold_and_Taylor-6] 1 2 Cold, C.J.; Taylor, T.R. (1999). "The Prepuce". British Journal of Urology . 83 (1): 34–44. doi: 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.0830s1034.x . PMID 10349413. S2CID 30559310.

[Carroll-7] 1 2 Carroll, Janell L. (2009). Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. Cengage Learning. pp. 118 and 252. ISBN 978-0-495-60274-3 . Retrieved 23 June 2012. The clitoral glans is a particularly sensitive receptor and transmitter of sexual stimuli. In fact, the clitoris, although much smaller than the penis, has twice the number of nerve endings (8,000) as the penis (4,000) and has a higher concentration of nerve fibers than anywhere else on the body... In fact, most women do not enjoy direct stimulation of the glans and prefer stimulation through the [hood]... The majority of women enjoy a light caressing of the shaft of the clitoris, together with an occasional circling of the [clitoral glans], and maybe digital (finger) penetration of the vagina. Other women dislike direct stimulation and prefer to have the [clitoral glans] rolled between the lips of the labia. Some women like to have the entire area of the vulva caressed, whereas others like the caressing to be focused on the [clitoral glans].

[Engaging_Cultural_Differences:_The_Multicultural_Challenge_in_Liberal_Democracies-8] Link text, "Engaging Cultural Differences: The Multicultural Challenge in Liberal Democracies," Chapter 11, Schweder, et al., 2002.

[Momoh-9] Momoh, Comfort (2005). "Female Genital Mutation". In Momoh, Comfort (ed.). Female Genital Mutilation. Radcliffe Publishing. pp. 5–12. ISBN 978-1-85775-693-7.

[Koroma_1997-10] Koroma, Hannah (30 September 1997). "What is Female Genital Mutilation?". Amnesty International. p. 2. Retrieved 25 April 2010.

[WHO,_FGM-11] "Female genital mutilation". World Health Organization (WHO). 2012 [2008]. Retrieved August 22, 2012.

[12] Duffy, John (October 19, 1963). "Masturbation and Clitoridectomy: A Nineteenth-Century View". JAMA. 186 (3): 246–248. doi:10.1001/jama.1963.63710030028012. PMID 14057114.

[13] Rodriguez, Sarah W. (2008). "Rethinking the history of female circumcision and clitoridectomy: American medicine and female sexuality in the late nineteenth century". Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences. 63 (3): 323–347. doi:10.1093/jhmas/jrm044. PMID 18065832. S2CID 9234753.

[14] Kitalyi, A.; Owen, E.; Jayasuria, N.; Smith, T. (2020). Livestock and Wealth Creation: Improving the Husbandry of Animals Kept By Resource-Poor People in Developing Countries. 5m publishing. p. 337. ISBN 978-1-91045-577-7.

[15] Hodges, Frederick Mansfield; Denniston, George C.; Milos, Marilyn Fayre (2007). Male and Female Circumcision: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Practice. Springer US. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-58539-937-9.

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