clitoris vagina and illustrated guide

Clitoris and Vagina

Where the clitoris and G spot is. How the vagina works. What is the vulva? Why and how people squirt. There are drawings of all this too, just so you know….

This guide can only really teach you some of the basics – you might want to have a look at your own private parts (in private) to find out how this all works for you. There are drawings of genitals here, just to warn you in case you’re on the bus and you’re worried about someone looking over your shoulder.

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Vulvas

A lot of people call this them vaginas but technically they are called vulvas. It’s okay though, people know what you mean. Here are some pictures of what vulvas might look like when they are resting (which means not aroused).

Image of the vulva. Drawings of different vulvas in resting state

Aroused Vulva

And here’s what vulvas look like when they are aroused, also with the labia (the lips either side of the vulva) opened a little bit. If you have a vulva you could have a look yourself. Obviously your vulva isn’t going to look like these drawings, but hopefully they will give you an idea of where everything is.

Image of the vulva when aroused.

As you can see there’s a big difference between how vulvas look when they are resting and when they are aroused. Just like penises look really different when they are aroused, it’s the same for vulvas. When vulvas get aroused blood rushes into the clitoris (more on that below) which changes the shape, size and colour of the skin surrounding it.

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Labia

Labia swell up and change colour a little bit when aroused. This makes the vulva change a lot in appearance. They also part a little so that you can see the clitoris, vagina, and urethra. Their main job is to act as protection to these parts, so they prevent dirt from getting in there, and also prevent damage. When they are aroused they can be very sensitive and nice to touch.

Labia are really different from person to person and there’s no ‘perfect’ or ‘ideal’ labia. For instance, sometimes the inner lips stick out above the outer lips: sometimes not. For more check out these illustrated images of genitals.

The Vulva Up Close

We’ll have a look at one of the vulva drawings from above in a bit more detail below. I’ll explain what all the labels mean below the drawing.

Image of the vulva up close. Pubic hair, clitoral hood, clitoris, urethra, vagina, labia, anus

Pubic hair

is just hair surrounding the pubic area. Some people have more of it than others and some people like to shave or trim it. This is completely up to them, there’s more about this in this article about pubic hair.

The clitoral hood

is skin which covers the clitoris. It protects the outside part of the clitoris and also provides some moisture to stop it getting sore. The clitoris in this drawing is pretty small but it’s actually much bigger than this. I’ll explain a lot more about this in the next drawings.

The urethra

is where people with vulvas pee from. It’s probably not quite as clear as it is in these drawings, but you might want to look at your own vulva to see where yours is. There’s more about this below when we finally get to the vagina bit.

The anus

is where people poo from and also sometimes people like to have sexual touching in or around the anus. It’s not really part of the vulva, but I’m including it here so you can see whereabouts it is. As you can see it’s quite close to the vagina and this is why people with vulvas are often advised to wipe from the front to the back after they’ve been to the toilet. This is because germs from the anus can get into the vagina and cause an infection.

Okay, let’s check our watches, it’s clitoris time.

The Clitoris

As I said just now, the last drawing only shows the outside bit of the clitoris, which doesn’t look that big. In this one below you can see how big it actually is.

Image of clitoris. The outside and the inside bits. the shaft, glans, crura, bulbs. The clitoris surrounds the urethra and vagina

The glans of the clitoris that you can see above is the bit that sticks out of the vulva. The rest of it is behind the labia and surrounds the urethra and also the vagina. The crura (legs), bulbs, and shaft are packed with spongy cells which fill up with blood during arousal. If you have a clitoris you might be able to feel this by pressing against the outer labia a bit.

So if you looked at a cross section of the above, it would look like this.

Clitoris erection. how the clitoris gets hard. corpus cavernosa

The Erect Clitoris

So during arousal the spongy cells in the corpus cavernosa fill up with blood and press against the tunica, which is a flexible and firm wall. This pressing of the spongy cells against the walls means that the whole clitoris starts to expand and get hard. So it’s not just penises that have hard ons. Here’s what a clitoris hard on looks like in fact.

Image of the clitoris when it's resting and when it's aroused

So as the clitoris get hard it starts to expand and also sticks outwards more. Sometimes clitorises are much larger than this and can stick out quite a lot. As you can see in this drawing, the clitoris has stuck out underneath the clitoral hood. During sexy times this can make the clitoris easier to find.

For many people, the clitoris the key to experience pleasure from sex. All the research shows that most people with one need it to be given some attention in order to have enjoyable sex. So for enjoyable sexy times it can be nice for them both to be touched, stroked, licked, sucked or buzzed with a vibrator. For some people all of those things are enjoyable, for others not so much.

Find out more about different ways of touching clitorises and vaginas at my what is sex article.

The Vagina

So finally we get to the bit about the actual vagina. First of all let’s look at the opening to the vagina in a bit of detail. There are some important facts to learn about what people used to call the hymen.

Image of the hymen or the corona. This is mucous membrane which surrounds the opening to the vagina

The Hymen Corona

This is thin folds of mucous tissue surrounding opening of the vagina – this used to be called the hymen. It’s just 1 or 2cm inside the vagina. The shape of the corona varies and some people have more of this than others. However, it is not a wall of tissue that gets broken at first time sex: a lot of people think that, but they are wrong (this video points this out really well). There’s a really great article about the corona here.

It stretches over time so the entry to the vagina opens more. Lots of things cause it to smooth out over time — vaginal discharge, period blood, masturbation, or penetrative sex. It might bleed or hurt for first time sex but only if someone is not relaxed, or ready or turned on enough. If someone is relaxed and ready to enjoy sex then it probably won’t bleed at all. Remember sex should not hurt. It should feel nice, first time and every time.

How to avoid painful sex

Sometimes people think that people bleeding is a sign that they are definitely a virgin (that is, haven’t had penis in vagina sex before). That’s total rubbish 1) because of the above but also 2) if someone says that they haven’t had sex before then others should believe them, and 3) why get so obsessed about ‘virginity’ when it comes to ‘female’ bodies and not those with ‘male’ bodies anyway.

Am I Still a Virgin?

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Vagina inside

Put your tongue inside the cheek of your mouth, feel that? That’s a very similar lining to the inside of the vagina. See how it doesn’t really feel like the skin on the outside? It’s thin and delicate and changes a lot. That’s because it’s made up of a mucous membrane (which we also have in our ears and up our noses). The technical term is mucosa. It can get damaged by little cuts, so be very careful about putting anything sharp inside the vagina.

Wetness

As you can see in the last drawing, the opening to the vagina may be quite wet when the vulva is aroused. This wetness comes from a couple of glands on the outside of the vagina but mainly comes from deep inside the vagina near the cervix. During sexual arousal this wetness slides down the vagina and out into the opening. Fun fact: this is actually plasma from blood surrounding the vagina. Some people generate more wetness than others and some people need to have extra moisture (like saliva or sex lubricant). Sex in the vagina can be painful if it’s dry and it it’s not aroused, so it’s important to make sure it’s wet before entering it with anything.

Vagina Size

Vaginas vary in size from person to person and they vary a lot. In this study the length of the vaginas measured were between 41 and 95mm (1.6 – 3.7 inches). In this study the length of the opening to the vagina (the introitus for you sex geeks out there) ranged between 6 and 75mm (0.2 – 3 inches). That’s a big variation right?

For those of you interested in penis in vagina sex you might want to check out what I found out about penis size. The range of erect penis size is between 1.6 – 10.2 inches long. The vagina sizes study in the last paragraph was non-aroused vaginas (it’s thought that vaginas can double in length when aroused, more on this below). However, you can see that some penises are not going to fit comfortably in some vaginas and some vaginas aren’t going to snugly fit around some penises. Another reason why penis in vagina sex can be meh.

An important fact about vagina width and length (and again, something they find in this study)  is that they don’t get bigger over short periods of time. I think a lot of people think that their vaginas get bigger the more they have entry sex (the amount of people who have used the term ‘bucket’ to me -sighs-) but that’s not how vaginas work. They stay the same size, but they get more stretchy when they are turned on and people get turned on when they know how their bodies work and know what to expect from sex. So here’s what happens when vaginas get aroused.

How the Vagina Works

Time for another drawing I reckon. There’s a lot going on in this drawing so I hope you understand it. It’s a side on view of the vagina.

Image of the vagina and prostate gland. This image shows the vagina when aroused and the vagina when resting.

When the vagina is aroused it gets wetter, more relaxed and stretchy. Most of the stretching happens deep inside the vagina near the cervix. On it’s own the vagina doesn’t change in length, but there is more blood flow, more lubrication and so the wall of the vagina smooths and stretches. You can see that in the drawing right? When the vagina is aroused it can stretch a lot more, which means that sex inside the vagina can feel more comfortable.

How the vagina stretches

Crucially there are very strong muscles surrounding the vagina, they relax a lot when the vagina is aroused, but can also really tighten up when it isn’t. There’s a lot of stretching around the fornix. It stretches to make room for what is put inside it. 

The fornix (the upper one and the lower one – or the anterior and the posterior) stretches loads when it’s aroused. This allows for a penis or sex toy or fingers to fit comfortably in the vagina. If the vagina isn’t aroused, the fornix doesn’t stretch and this can make entry sex feel uncomfortable or painful.

The first third of the vagina is very sensitive as it is possible to stimulate the clitoris and prostate in that area, however many people find different parts of the vagina are more sensitive at different times. Some people find that the fornix area is very sensitive. Lots of people say the upper wall of the vagina near the opening is very sensitive.

Wanting to learn how to have sex? Here’s the BISH guide.

The G spot

The upper or front wall of the vagina is an area which is particularly sensitive to the touch for many people. Not everyone likes the G spot area to be touched and prefer different areas. But some really do. It can be sensitive because of the location of the clitoris but also the prostate.

Read: why is her G Spot area more pleasurable than her clitoris?

The prostate

Formally known as the ‘Skene’s Gland’ the prostate surrounds the urethra – although it it varies in position and shape. Some people ejaculate or squirt a fluid which is similar to semen when they orgasm and this is where it comes from.

Here’s the drawing again so you can see the prostate

Just because someone is squirting doesn’t mean that they are having a ‘better’ or ‘more real’ orgasm than when someone isn’t squirting. Some people do and some people don’t. More on the history of the research of this here.

The Urethra

Lots of people don’t realise that they don’t pee out of the vagina. For most people, above the vagina but below the clitoris is a small opening where urine leaves the body. Again, because all genitals are different this can be in a slightly different place from person to person. This is also where a fluid leaves the body when some people ejaculate (this is thought to be a fluid a bit like semen). It’s also possible to get an infection in the urethra, this is know as a urinary tract infection. To prevent this it’s a good idea to try to have a wee after sex.

Cleaning the vagina

Vaginas have a natural scent, which varies from person to person. Lots of people like this smell, or don’t mind it, but some people don’t like it. You should take care when cleaning the vagina.

The vagina has a special pH levels (acidity levels). This is caused by the natural discharge which travels along the vaginal canal. This discharge cleans the vagina. That’s right the vagina cleans itself (clever vagina). Getting any soap or too much water into the vagina can change the pH levels. This can stop the vagina from self-cleaning, this can cause an infection which makes the vagina sore and smelly. So really, the best way to clean the vagina is to leave it alone!

Become a sexpert!

Now you’re a sexpert on the clitoris and vagina, why not find out more about…

How All Genitals Are Different (whether you have a clitoris or a penis)

The Penis and how it’s actually pretty much the same as the clitoris

Balls and cum and where the ‘male’ G spot is too

Why Sex Can Be Meh, find out why here

How To Be Good at Sex there’s just one thing you need to learn to be good at sex.

Brief Guide To Relationships how to do the whole relationship thing

Comment below if you like. I moderate all comments before they appear, just so you know!

See what else you can find out about today!

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© Justin Hancock, 2024 Find out more about me and BISH here.

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I’ve been a sex and relationships educator since 1999 (with a background in youth and community work). In that time I’ve taught and given advice about sex and relationships with thousands of young people in person and millions online. I’ve worked with many charities, local governments, schools and youth organisations facilitating training and workshops. My two books, Enjoy Sex (How, When, and If You Want To) and Can We Talk About Consent? are widely available around the world. I’m also a member of the World Association for Sexual Health. Justin Hancock

36 thoughts on “Clitoris and Vagina

  1. I just wanted to see what a normal clitoris looks like! Plenty of drawings but not the real thing.i thought I had a normal one but I have developed lichen schlerosis and now there’s such a thing as atrophy! My hood has just about sealed my clit in,not to mention my outer vulva after becoming longer in older age have now nearly disappeared!!

  2. Google ” G-Spot myth”. It doesn’t exist. There’s never been proof of it.
    Female ejaculation is impossible and a myth also without scientific merit or proof. Please stop perpetuating false information.

  3. I do believe all of the ideas you’ve offered on your post.
    They’re really convincing and will certainly work.

    Still, the posts are very short for starters. May just you please lengthen them
    a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

    1. That’s a very good question. I think the answer depends on the person really. Lots of people might say it’s the first time that someone has entry sex with someone – but then this leaves lots of people out, particularly those who don’t have sex with a penis. Also it kind of makes that sound like the only ‘real’ kind of sex which I don’t think is right. One kind of sex isn’t more important or more real than any other. Plus someone could have entry sex which is a bit ‘meh’ but have non entry sex which is totally mind-blowing.

      What do you think it means?

      Justin (Bish)

      1. Sorry. I actually lost you there, I needed to know about entry sex, Like for example, if one has entry sex for the first time with this particular person, like completely turned on and then for some reason the one has to have sex with another particular person. so will that person be able to tell if the virginity has been lost to someone else before? or is losing virginity for women is conceptual like it is for men?

        1. Sorry I wasn’t very clear – it isn’t very clear! I think it’s more conceptual and it depends very much on what you think virginity means. Also is it important?

          1. I think virginity is a concept, it’s a state of mind. We, men, have made a BIG issue over a SMALL tissue..
            Intercourse is a natural phenomenon and human beings must have learned that before even they learned how to speak. It’s the best way to communicate with your partner when you two have that special emotional attachment.
            I think over the years MEN have changed their idea of “A VIRGIN GIRL”. I consider beautiful female minds – VIRGIN…always.

        2. Hi Justin I got confused with the side view diagram. So the clitoris curva is a upside down V shape? But yours is a cross/diagram is side view?

          1. Yeah it’s an upside down V from the front. Those side on drawings show just the left hand side view of the clitoris, and what you can see there is the leg (in purple) which kind of goes a bit further back into the body, and the bulb (in blue).

    1. That’s a bit rude. I’m 17 and my parents haven’t told me anything about Sex. They think I’ll figure it o on my own, this website is the only reason I know what I know. Please don’t criticize, it’s rude and pointless. If you don’t have anything good to say then please leave because young people like me need information and not words to bring on another down. I think these articles are super helpful and they’ve definitely stopped me from making mistakes.

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