The Erectile Tissue of the Clitoris

Through self-examination, you can locate many of the structures which lie beneath the surface of the skin.

Under the top layer of muscles lies a layer of erec- tile tissue and blood vessels. In the clitoris, there are two types of erectile tissue: one is more firm and the other is more elastic. When filled with blood during sexual excitement, they both become firmer and sup- port erection. The blood that fills these intricate, tightly packed compartments of tiny arteries and veins comes from larger arteries.

The shaft and legs of the clitoris are long, thin bands of the firm tissue which flare outward from the shaft along the pubic bones. The bulb of the clitoris, which is underneath the outer lips and top layer of muscle, is made up of the more elastic tissue. Another spongy body, extends inward along the ceiling of the vagina. This pad of soft tissue can be easily located by inserting your finger into the vagina and pressing for- ward toward the pubic bone; it surrounds the urethra, undoubtedly protecting it from direct pressure during sexual activity. This structure was not named in text- books so we called it the "urethral sponge."

There are two sets of glands within the clitoris which have ducts that open to the outside. One set are minute and their specific function, if any, is unknown. The other, the vulvovaginal glands, do secrete a few drops of fluid during sexual arousal. Usually, a woman becomes aware of these latter glands only if they become infected and enlarged.

A NOTE TO THE READER

The intention of this book is to assist women in learning more about well woman health care, self-examination, and well woman self care techniques. The health information shared in this book is not meant to replace the annual pap smear, or routine health or medical care. Rather, the information is intended to compliment the knowledge and expertise of health care providers, and to enable women to become more informed consumers in partnership with their health care practitioners. Advanced self-help techniques presented here, such as menstrual extraction, are not intended for use outside advanced self-help clinics. These techniques are used by women in advanced self-help groups who are specially trained in self-help skills.

Copyright © 1991 By the Federation of Feminist Women's Health Centers
rights reserved including the right to reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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