In
femaleFemale is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces mobile ova .- Defining Characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
human anatomy, the
clitoral hood, (also called
preputium clitoridis and
clitoral prepuce), is a fold of
skinThe skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of mesodermal tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Skin of a different nature exists in amphibians, reptiles, birds...
that surrounds and protects the
clitoral glans- Anatomy :It is covered by the clitoral hood, which is also external and attached to the labia minora. It is attached to the frenulum clitoridis, which is also attached to the labia minora.The clitoral glans is attached to the clitoral body, which is internal....
. It develops as part of the
labia minoraThe labia minora or nymphae are two longitudinal cutaneous folds on the human vulva. They are situated between the labia majora, and extend from the clitoris obliquely downward, laterally, and backward on either side of the vulval vestibule, ending between bottom of the vulval vestibule and the...
and is
homologousIn evolutionary biology, homology refers to any similarity between characteristics of organisms that is due to their shared ancestry. The word homologous derives from the ancient Greek ομολογειν, 'to agree'. There are examples in different branches of biology...
with the
foreskinIn male human anatomy, the foreskin is a retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and protects the urinary meatus when the penis is not erect...
(equally called prepuce) in male genitals.
Variation
This is a protective hood of skin that covers the clitoral glans. There is no standard size or shape for the hood. Some women have large clitoral hoods that completely cover the clitoral glans. Some of these can be retracted to expose the clitoral glans; 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. As in the male, 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 as in the male, strongly-scented
smegmaSmegma is a combination of exfoliated epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture. It occurs in both male and female genitalia. In males, smegma helps keep the glans moist and facilitates sexual intercourse by acting as a lubricant.-Human smegma:Both males and females produce smegma...
can accumulate.
Modifications
In most of the world, modifications are uncommon. In some African cultures,
female genital cuttingFemale genital mutilation , also known as female genital cutting , female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting , is any procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs "whether for cultural, religious or...
is practiced on young girls to suppress sexual pleasure. One possible modification that exists for the opposite reason is to have the hood
piercedBody piercing is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewellery may be worn. Body piercing is a form of body modification. The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act...
and insert jewellery, both for adornment and physical pleasure. Though much less common, other women opt to have the hood surgically trimmed or removed so as to permanently expose part or all of the clitoral head. Such a procedure is akin to male circumcision and is sometimes known as female circumcision, a term that is often confused with the practice of
female genital cuttingFemale genital mutilation , also known as female genital cutting , female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting , is any procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs "whether for cultural, religious or...
which usually removes extensive amounts of tissue, including the entire exposed part of the clitoris. Similar procedures were once rarely performed in Western countries such as the United States as well to discourage masturbation, but by the 1960s this destructive practice was recognized as abusive and discontinued.
Stimulation
]
Women with hoods covering most of the clitoris can often masturbate by stimulating the hood over the clitoral glans, an action which is homologous to masturbation in the male with a foreskin. Those with smaller, or more compact structures tend to rub the clitoral glans and hood together as one item. Oftentimes, the glans clitoris itself is too sensitive to be stimulated directly, such as in cases where the hood is retracted. This increased sensitivity due to their nature as internal structures, is also found in younger uncircumcised males, particularly before full retraction around puberty has occurred.
The clitoral hood also provides protection to the clitoral glans like foreskin on the penile glans. During sexual stimulation, the hood may also prevent the penis from coming into direct contact with the glans clitoris, which is instead stimulated indirectly often by the pressing of the individuals' pubis. The
clitoral glans- Anatomy :It is covered by the clitoral hood, which is also external and attached to the labia minora. It is attached to the frenulum clitoridis, which is also attached to the labia minora.The clitoral glans is attached to the clitoral body, which is internal....
, like the foreskin must be lubricated by the naturally provided sebum, found in and accumulating in
smegmaSmegma is a combination of exfoliated epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture. It occurs in both male and female genitalia. In males, smegma helps keep the glans moist and facilitates sexual intercourse by acting as a lubricant.-Human smegma:Both males and females produce smegma...
, for sliding and effortless gliding during sexual stimulation. If a woman's clitoral glans isn't lubricated the hood may not caress it during sexual stimulation, or where the female may experiences pain rather than pleasure, as it may feel like sandpaper is being rubbed against her clitoral glans even when the lightest touch is applied.
See also
- female genitals
A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined, is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in a complex organism; in mammals, these include:*Female...
- Frenulum clitoridis
The Frenulum clitoridis is a frenulum on the under-surface of the clitoral glans, created by the two medial parts of the labia minora....
(or crus glandis clitoridis): a frenulumA frenulum is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body.-In human anatomy:...
surrounding the clitoris
- Female circumcision, removal of the clitoral hood (also a misnomer for forms of FGM)
External links
- "The Female Perineum: The Vulva"