when refering to a woman's body, what is hood?

Answer 1

the little tuft of vagina covering the clit to protect it.In some women it may be too small to notice while others have a larger one- it looks just like a hood

Answer 2

It is analogous to the foreskin (also called a hood) of the penis. If you want to see a few diagrams and explanatory photos, you could look at:

http://www.the-clitoris.com/f_html/vulva.htm

It is not a porn site, but it is frank, and you WILL see female genitals, so do NOT open the page, if that might offend you, or break a law.

The text explains:

"The labia minora also merge with the Prepuce or Hood. The prepuce covers the clitoral body and all or part of the clitoral glans. While the labia minora merge with the prepuce, they are not made of the same tissue. Unlike the second and third illustrations shown here, the prepuce usually conceals the clitoral glans unless it is manually retracted, but the clitoral glans of some women is always partially or completely exposed as shown. The prepuce protects the very delicate and sensitive clitoral glans from constant stimulation and irritation.


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The information presented below on the prepuce is based on multiple articles about the prepuce of the penis. There is no detailed information available on the prepuce of the clitoris that I'm aware of. The information available on the prepuce of the penis is often vague and confusing, and at times, contradicting. I've done my best to make sense of the information presented in my references.


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The portion of the prepuce that covers the clitoral glans is just like the foreskin of the penis. It is comprised of two separate layers of skin, an outer layer that is an extension of the tissue along the body of the clitoris, and an inner layer made up of mucous membrane. During fetal development the prepuce and the glans are fused together, they are one. Sometime during late fetal development or childhood, both the glans and prepuce shed their outer layers of cells resulting in their separation. The shedding of these skin cells occurs throughout life, even after separation of the glans and prepuce. Glands on the underside of the prepuce, within the mucous membrane, produce enzymes that attack bacteria and protect the glans and prepuce from infection. There are also oil-producing glands located on areas of the clitoral glans that lubricate the glans and prepuce. These oil glands are less active in childhood than after puberty.


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The shedding of skin cells and the production of oil and enzymes results in the formation of smegma. Smegma is a white cheesy substance that may have a strong odor, in the female it is reported to be 'fishy' in nature. Because of the restricted space between the glans and hood, the smegma may collect under the prepuce in the form of small 'pearls' or kernels. Smegma, because of the oil and enzymes does not pose a health risk. It is recommended that while the prepuce and glans are fused together, that only smegma that has seeped out from under the prepuce be washed away with plain water. At some point the prepuce and glans should separate as the result of the skin cell shedding, masturbation, bathing, and bike riding etc. After separation occurs, the prepuce should be retracted so the glans can be washed with plain water. The use of soap appears to increase the likelihood of infection. If the prepuce and glans do not fully separate or if an infection develops between the glans and prepuce, adhesions may develop between the two. Parents should not forcibly retract the hood of their daughter's clitoris while bathing her vulva.


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The size of the prepuce varies considerably from one woman to the next. Its size is not necessarily based on the size of the clitoris. A short thin clitoris may have a long fleshy prepuce and a long thick clitoris may have a short thin prepuce. It is believed that most women can retract their prepuce far enough to expose all or part of their clitoral glans. Some women have a prepuce that is so long and/or has such a narrow opening that their clitoral glans is always hidden. A small percentage of women have reported that their long thick prepuce has prevented or impaired their ability to experience orgasm, so they had it surgically trimmed or removed. The process of trimming or removing the portion of the prepuce that covers the glans is called circumcision. It is rarely necessary as there is no evidence to show the size of a woman's prepuce has any bearing on her ability to experience orgasm. It is more a cosmetic procedure that may have psychological benefits for some women."


NB! Most experts regard "trimming" the clitoral hood to be "genital mutilation". It is illegal to do this procedure, in many places, and yet it is customary, in others. For much more on these surgeries, in males and females, see:

http://www.circumstitions.com/

Answer 3

In a vagina, usually the clitoris is tucked beneath a fold called the clitoral hood.

Answer 4

The small flap of skin that covers, or hoods, the clitoris

Answer 5

the cliteral hood, I would imagine

Answer 6

The thing that covers the clitoris.

Answer 7

If you don't know, then your to young to know and to young to be asking.

Answer 8

What they said!

Answer 9

the cover for the clit

Answer 10

lift then likk