According to a 2005 anatomical study by Australian urologist Helen O'Malley, the clitoris contains approximately 8,000 sensory nerve endings—twice as many as the head of a man's penis. This number is often quoted, but it's important to understand what this means in practice.
Not just the “button” The visible part is just the tip of the iceberg — the body and “roots” of the clitoris extend up to 9-11 cm along the walls of the vagina. This is why intravaginal and external stimulation often intersect.
Why is there such high sensitivity? The density of so many nerve endings in a small area explains why the clitoris is the most direct route to orgasm for most women — according to studies, the majority of women definitely or almost definitely need clitoral stimulation to orgasm.
Practical conclusion Because sensitivity is so high, direct pressure can often be intensely uncomfortable—a light touch on the outer fabric or a sock is often a more pleasant introduction than direct contact.