Physiological phenomenon involving the engorgement of the clitoris
Left image: Mild sexual arousal. Right image: Strong sexual arousal with erection of the vestibular bulbs under the skin on both sides of the vaginal opening and exposed clitoral glans.3D image of clitoris in an erect state (with the adjacent organs of the uterus and urinary bladder)
Clitoral erection (also known as clitoral tumescence or female erection)[1][2] is a physiological phenomenon where the clitoris becomes enlarged and firm.
Clitoral erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular, and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal. Erections should eventually subside, and the prolonged state of clitoral erection even while not aroused is a condition that could become painful.[3] This swelling and shrinking to a relaxed state seems linked to nitric oxide's effects on tissues in the clitoris, similar to its role in penile erection.[4]
^Gragasin, F. S., Michelakis, E. D., Hogan, A., Moudgil, R., Hashimoto, K., Wu, X., ... & Archer, S. L. (2004). The neurovascular mechanism of clitoral erection: Nitric oxide and cGMP‐stimulated activation of BKCa channels. The FASEB journal, 18(12), 1382-1391.