The suspensory ligament of the clitoris is a fibrous band at the deep fascial level that extends from the

pubic symphysis The pubic symphysis (: symphyses) is a secondary cartilaginous joint between the left and right superior rami of the pubis of the hip bones. It is in front of and below the urinary bladder. In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attache ...

to the deep fascia of the

clitoris In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...

, anchoring the clitoris to the pubic symphysis. By virtue of this connection, the pubic symphysis supports the clitoris. The suspensory ligament of the clitoris consistently displays two components: a superficial fibro-fatty structure extending from a broad base within the

mons pubis In human anatomy, and in mammals in general, the ''mons pubis'' or pubic mound (also known simply as the mons , and known specifically in females as the ''mons Venus'' or ''mons veneris'') is a rounded mass of fatty tissue found over the pubic s ...

to converge on the body of the clitoris and extending into the

labia majora In primates, and specifically in humans, the labia majora (: labium majus), also known as the outer lips or outer labia, are two prominent Anatomical terms of location, longitudinal skin folds that extend downward and backward from the mons pubis ...

, and a deep component with a narrow origin on the symphysis pubis extending to the body and the bulbs of the clitoris. Its form and position differ from those of the

suspensory ligament of the penis The suspensory ligament of the penis is a triangular midline structure anchoring the penis to the pubic symphysis, holding the penis close to the pubic bone and supporting it during erection. The ligament does not directly connect to the corpus c ...

. During

sexual arousal Sexual arousal (also known as sexual excitement) describes the Physiology, physiological and psychological responses in preparation for sexual intercourse or when exposed to Sexual stimulation, sexual stimuli. A number of physiological response ...

, the ligament shortens and swells. This pulls the clitoral shaft in such a way that the

glans The glans (, : glandes ; from the Latin word for "acorn") 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. Structure The exterior structure of the g ...

appears to retract beneath the

clitoral hood In female humans and other mammals, the clitoral hood (also called preputium clitoridis, clitoral prepuce, and clitoral foreskin) is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the glans of the clitoris; it also covers the external clitoral shaft ...

References

{{Authority control Clitoris Ligaments of the torso

See also

References