# Does a clitoris differ from a penis in any meaningful way? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2014, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612 "2014-10-26T23:52:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![protoboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2014, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/1 "2014-10-26T23:52:01Z")
I mean aside from being inside the body and not having a urethra? It seems like the two organs are increasingly considered the same, however I’ve seen photos of metoidoplasties and none of them really look quite like a penis to me so I am still convinced the two are somewhat different in terms of their structure. Some sources say that the clitoris does not completely trap blood the way the penis does but a recent histological study this year claims to have debunked that. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/2 "2014-10-27T00:04:06Z")
More people can locate a penis. There’s debate about it, but the clitoris is supposed to have twice as many nerve endings as the penis. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/3 "2014-10-27T02:48:56Z")
Define “meaningful”. Meaningful to whom? In what context? Meaning is subjective. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/4 "2014-10-27T04:18:17Z")
Given the difference in size, even if the clitoris does contain erectile tissue (the penis has 2 “tubes” of this at-least-to-be-unique tissue type on the underside - during erection, this spongy tissue becomes engorged with blood (the outlet veins are restricted) - and that, kids, is why it gets stiff. I have encountered clitoris which certainly appeared to have a similar occurrence, but, until such tissue can be grown/fabricated/transplanted, there simply isn’t enough to fill a 5" - 6" tube, let alone do so symmetrically (the reason for the 2 tubes in the penis). While this is a promising development - the original design, AIUI, was to create a roll of tissue from the thigh the size of an erect penis and provide a sheath in it into which a rigid rod was inserted to obtain an “erection”. The other option was a phallus sized as a de-tumescent penis and forgo any attempt at an erection. So, the answer to the OP: if your interest is to convert a clitoris into a functional penis: not there yet. Will now await several new ones from all sides in the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/5 "2014-10-27T04:21:38Z")
I’d love to hear from someone who underwent this surgery 20+ years ago - do you retain any sensation? Does the rod stimulate the nerves in/from the clitoris? ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/6 "2014-10-27T14:34:18Z")
Semi-new research, probably NSFW > **[We Discovered The Clitoris In 2009? Heyyy, Wait A Minute... | The Mary Sue](https://www.themarysue.com/clitoris-discovery-2009/)** > > I'm going to do my best to stay serious and scientific here but well, this is a post about the clitoris so it may not last. This particular part of the female anatomy has been something the general public has given a lot of thought but as it turns... ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/7 "2014-10-28T14:44:27Z")
I have one, my wife has the other. Vive le difference! ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/8 "2014-10-28T14:54:54Z")
even if the clit has a small fraction of the nerves of the penis they are still more densely packed. also it tends to be thinner skinned compared to a clipped or unclipped penile glans. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/9 "2014-10-28T16:23:35Z")
A Penis can often settle uncomfortably in cheaper underwear to the point where it its position will become irritating enough that it will have to be adjusted. People will stare at you if you try to adjust it. With Clitoris, only the latter is true. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/10 "2014-10-28T18:05:09Z")
The clitoris is actually [much larger than just the small shaft and head](http://media.sdreader.com/img/photos/2013/09/19/picture-5.png), actually. The yellow is the clitoral structure and the blue is the vagina. Unlike the penis, many anatomy books do not include the entire clitoris in drawings/diagrams. ---
**Author:** ![protoboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/11 "2014-11-02T09:44:19Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > The clitoris is actually [much larger than just the small shaft and head](http://media.sdreader.com/img/photos/2013/09/19/picture-5.png), actually. The yellow is the clitoral structure and the blue is the vagina. > > Unlike the penis, many anatomy books do not include the entire clitoris in drawings/diagrams. Wait so the clitoris surrounds the vagina like a donut? Or am I seeing that the wrong way? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![protoboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/12 "2014-12-31T18:37:07Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > The clitoris is actually [much larger than just the small shaft and head](http://media.sdreader.com/img/photos/2013/09/19/picture-5.png), actually. The yellow is the clitoral structure and the blue is the vagina. > > Unlike the penis, many anatomy books do not include the entire clitoris in drawings/diagrams. Yup apparently it took until 2009 (!!!) to find that out. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/13 "2014-12-31T22:56:11Z")
Meaningful? Well, if you’re expecting to find one in a sexual partner, and you find the other, you’re damn right it’s meaningful. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/14 "2014-12-31T23:08:56Z")
Isn’t something similar true for the penis? There are continuations of the structure beneath the surface? (Where’s Burke and Hare when I need them?) ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/15 "2015-01-01T02:08:46Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Isn’t something similar true for the penis? There are continuations of the structure beneath the surface? > > (Where’s Burke and Hare when I need them?) Yeah. I mean, if you have one it’s pretty obvious that you have some hidden shaft below the surface. You can feel it from underneath and behind. Some people think they can stretch some of it out from there. As far as the difference- I can touch a penis (at least mine) in ANY possible way- rub it, stroke it, tickle it- up/down, side to side, on any spot, and it will eventually orgasm. Wish I could say the same about the clitoris. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/16 "2015-01-01T03:33:49Z")
When first making friends with a new playmate one can sometimes play a very fun game of hide and seek. The other one just stands up and says Yo! Here I am! ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/17 "2015-01-01T18:43:33Z")
Women transitioning from regular clitoris use to penis may be at a higher risk of conception. Should pregnancy occur, please consult your Doctor or Pharmacist… ---
**Author:** ![Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ac8455/32.png) [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Great_Darsh_Face)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/18 "2015-01-01T18:51:49Z")
One difference I can think of is that I for one have often been willing to lick a clitoris… ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/19 "2015-01-02T04:26:15Z")
I don’t know if it **differs** from a penis in a “meaningful way,” but I for one have found my clitoris very meaningful ever since I discovered it oh so many years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Habeed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a587f6/32.png) [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612/20 "2015-01-02T06:08:42Z")
Well, this explains why vibrators work so well. All that internal structure is presumably full of nerve endings that go to pleasure centers in a woman’s brain. But there’s no easy way to stimulate it except for indirectly by vibration. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-clitoris-differ-from-a-penis-in-any-meaningful-way/702612.md?page=2)