The external
genital organs of the
female are collectively known as the 'vulva' (plural ''vulvae'' or ''vulvas'')
[1]. In common speech, the term ''
vagina'' is often used improperly to refer to the vulva or female genitals generally, even though, strictly speaking, the vagina is a specific internal structure, whereas the vulva is the exterior genitalia
[2]. This article deals with the human vulva, although the structures are similar for other
mammals.
Linguistics
Etymology
The word "vulva" was taken from
Middle Latin ''volva'' or ''vulva'' "womb, female genitals", probably from
Latin ''volvere'' "to roll". Similar to
Sanskrit ''ulva'' "womb".
[3]
An alternate term, also from
Latin, is 'genitalia feminina externa'
[4]
Slang
As with nearly any aspect of the human body that is involved in sexual or
excretory functions, there are many slang words for the vulva.
[5]
Structures
Labeled picture of a human vulva.
In
human beings, major structures of the vulva are
[6]:
★ the ''
mons pubis''
★ the ''
labia'', consisting of the ''
labia majora'' and the ''
labia minora''
★ the external portion of the
clitoris and the
clitoral hood
★ the opening (or
meatus) of the
urethra
★ the opening (or
introitus) of the
vagina
★ the
hymen and
★ the
perineum
The soft mound at the front of the vulva is formed by fatty tissue covering the pubic bone, and is called is the ''mons pubis''. The term ''mons pubis'' is Latin for "pubic mound", and is gender non-specific. In human females, the ''mons pubis'' is often referred to as the ''mons veneris'', Latin for "mound of
Venus" or "mound of love". The ''mons pubis'' separates into two folds of skin called the ''labia majora'', literally "major (or large) lips". The cleft between the ''labia majora'' is called the
pudendal cleft, or ''cleft of Venus'', and it contains and protects the other, more delicate structures of the vulva. The ''labia majora'' meet again at a flat area between the pudendal cleft and the
anus called the perineum. The colour of the outside skin of the ''labia majora'' is usually close to the overall skin colour of the individual, although there is considerable variation. The inside skin and mucus membrane are often pink or brownish. After the onset of puberty, the ''mons pubis'' and the ''labia majora'' become covered by
pubic hair. This hair sometimes extends to the inner thighs and perineum.
The ''labia minora'' are two soft folds of skin within the ''labia majora''. While ''labia minora'' translates as "minor (or small) lips", often the "''minora''" are of considerable size, and protrude outside the "''majora''". Much of the variation between vulvas lies in the significant variation in the size, shape, and color of the ''labia minora''.
The clitoris is located at the front of the vulva, where the ''labia minora'' meet. The visible portion of the clitoris is the
clitoral glans. Typically, the clitoral glans is roughly the size and shape of a
pea, although it can be significantly larger or smaller. The clitoral glans is highly sensitive, containing as many nerve endings as the analogous organ in males, the
glans penis. The point where the ''labia minora'' attach to the clitoris is called the
frenulum clitoridis. A
prepuce, the clitoral hood, normally covers and protects the clitoris, however in women with particularly large clitorises or small prepuces, the clitoris may be partially or wholly exposed at all times. Often the clitoral hood is only partially hidden inside of the pudendal cleft.
The area between the ''labia minora'' is called the
vulval vestibule, and it contains the vaginal and
urethral openings. The urethral opening (meatus) is located below the clitoris and just in front of the vagina. This is where urine passes from the
bladder to the outside of the body.
The opening of the vagina is located at the bottom of the vulval vestibule, towards the perineum. The term ''introitus'' is more technically correct than "opening", since the vagina is collapsed, with the opening closed, unless something is inserted into it. The introitus is sometimes partly covered by a membrane called the
hymen. The hymen will rupture during the first episode of vigorous sex, and the blood produced by this rupture is often used as a sign of
virginity. However, the hymen may also rupture spontaneously during exercise, or be stretched by normal activities such as the use of
tampons, or be so minor as to not be noticeable. In some rare cases, the hymen may completely cover the vaginal opening, requiring
surgical separation. Slightly below and to the left and right of the vaginal opening are two
Bartholin glands which produce a waxy,
pheromone-containing substance, the purpose of which is not fully known.
The appearance of the vulva and the size of the various parts varies a great deal from one female to another, and it is common for the left and right sides to differ in appearance.
Sexual homology
Main articles: Sexual homology
Most male and female sex organs originate from the same tissues in the development of a foetus. The vulva is no different. The anatomy of the vulva is related to the anatomy of the male genitalia by a shared
developmental biology. Organs that have a common developmental ancestry in this way are said to be
homologous.
The clitoral glans is homologous to the
glans penis in males, and the
clitoral body and the
clitoral crura are homologous to the
corpora cavernosa of the
penis. The labia majora, labia minora and clitoral hood are homologous to the
scrotum, shaft skin of the
penis, and the
foreskin, respectively. The
vestibular bulbs beneath the skin of the labia minora are homologous to the
corpus spongiosum, the tissue of the penis surrounding the urethra. The
Bartholin's glands are homologous to
Cowper's glands in males.
Development
Fetus
During the first eight weeks of life, both male and female foetuses have the same rudimentary reproductive and sexual organs, and maternal hormones control their development. Male and female organs begin to become distinct when the foetus is able to begin producing its own hormones, although visible determination of the sex is difficult until after the twelfth week.
During the sixth week, the
genital tubercle develops in front of the
cloacal membrane. The tubercle contains a groove termed the
urethral groove. The
urogenital sinus (forerunner of the bladder) opens into this groove. On either side of the grove are the
urogenital folds. Beside the tubercle are a pair of ridges called the
labioscrotal swellings.
Beginning in the third month of development, the genital tubercle becomes the clitoris. The urogenital folds become the ''labia minora'', and the labioscrotal swellings become the ''labia majora''.
Childhood
At birth, the
neonate's vulva (and
breasts) may be swollen or enlarged as a result of having been exposed, via the
placenta, to her mother's increased levels of hormones. The clitoris is proportionally larger than it is likely to be later in life. Within a short period of time as these hormones wear off, the vulva will shrink in size.
From one year of age until the onset of puberty, the vulva does not undergo any change in appearance, other than growing in proportion with the rest of the body.
Puberty
The onset of
puberty produces a number of changes. The structures of the vulva become proportionately larger and may become more pronounced. Coloration may change and pubic hair develops, first on the ''labia majora'', and later spreading to the ''mons pubis'', and sometimes the inner thighs and perineum.
In preadolescent girls, the vulva appears to be positioned further forward than in adults, showing a larger percentage of the ''labia majora'' and pudendal cleft when standing. During puberty the ''mons pubis'' enlarges, pushing the forward portion of the ''labia majora'' away from the pubic bone, and parallel to the ground (when standing). Variations in
body fat levels affect the extent to which this occurs.
Childbirth
During
childbirth, the vagina and vulva must stretch to accommodate the baby's head (approximately 9.5 cm or 3.7 in). This can result in tears in the vaginal opening, labia, and clitoris. An
episiotomy (surgical pre-emptive cutting of the perineum) is sometimes performed to limit tearing, but its appropriateness as a routine procedure is under debate.
Some of the changes that occur during
pregnancy may be permanent.
Post-menopause
During
menopause, hormone levels decrease, and along with them tissues sensitive to these hormones also decrease. The ''mons pubis'', labia, and clitoris may reduce in size, although not usually to pre-puberty proportions.
Sexual arousal
Sexual arousal results in a number of physical changes in the vulva. Arousal may be broken up into four somewhat arbitrary phases: Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, and Resolution.
Excitement
Vaginal
lubrication begins first. This is caused as a result of the
vasocongestion of the vaginal walls. Increased blood pooling there causes moisture to seep from the walls. These droplets collect together and flow out of the vagina, moistening the vulva. The ''labia majora'' flatten and spread apart, and the clitoris and ''labia minora'' increase in size.
Unlike in men, where sexual excitement produces large and readily apparent changes, namely an
erection, women are not necessarily aware that vaginal lubrication and blood engorgement of their vulva has occurred.
Plateau
Increased
vasocongestion in the vagina causes it to swell, decreasing the size of the vaginal opening by about 30%. The clitoris becomes increasingly erect, and the glans moves towards the pubic bone, becoming concealed by the hood. The labia minora increase considerably in thickness, approximately 2–3 times, causing them to spread apart, displaying the vaginal opening. The labia minora change considerably in color, (in Caucasians) going from pink to red in women who have not borne a child, or red to wine in those that have.
A woman is not fully ready for vaginal
intercourse until the plateau stage.
Orgasm
Immediately prior to
orgasm, the clitoris becomes exceptionally engorged, causing the glans to appear to retract into the clitoral hood. This is thought to protect the sensitive glans during orgasm. However, there is some doubt that this is the case, since the same engorgement prior to orgasm occurs in the male homologous structure, the penis, the function of which is thought to be to extend the penis as close to the cervix as possible prior to ejaculation.
Rhythmic
muscle contractions occur in the outer third of the vagina, as well as the uterus and anus. They occur initially at a rate of about one every 0.8 seconds, becoming less intense and more randomly spaced as the orgasm continues. An orgasm may have as few as one or as many as 15 or more contractions, depending on intensity. Orgasm may be accompanied by
female ejaculation, causing liquid from either the
Skene's gland or
bladder to be expelled through the urethra.
Immediately after orgasm the clitoris may be so sensitive that any stimulation is uncomfortable.
Resolution
The pooled blood begins to dissipate, although at a much slower rate if orgasm has not occurred. The vagina and vaginal opening return to their normal relaxed state, and the rest of the vulva returns to its normal size, position and color.
Fluids and odour
There are a number of different secretions associated with the vulva, including
urine,
sweat,
menses, skin oils (
sebum), Bartholin's and
Skene's gland secretions, and vaginal wall secretions. These secretions contain a mix of chemicals, including
pyridine,
squalene,
urea,
acetic acid,
lactic acid, complex
alcohols,
glycols,
ketones, and
aldehydes. A secretion associated with
ovulation is known as "
spinnbarkeit".
Smegma
Smegma is a white cheesy substance formed from a combination of dead cells, skin oils, moisture and naturally occurring
bacteria, that forms in mammalian genitalia. In females it collects around the clitoris and labial folds.
Aliphatic acids
Approximately one third of women produce
aliphatic acids. These acids are a pungent class of chemicals which other
primate species produce as sexual-olfactory signals. While there is some debate, researchers often refer to them as human
pheromones. These acids are produced by natural bacteria resident on the skin. The acid content varies with the
menstrual cycle, rising from one day after
menstruation, and peaking mid-cycle, just before
ovulation.
Disorders affecting the vulva
Blemishes and cysts
★
Epidermal Cysts
★
Angiomas
★
Moles
★
Freckles
★
Lentigos
Infections
★
Candidiasis (thrush)
★
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
★
Warts (due to
HPV or
condyloma acuminata)
★
Molluscum contagiosum
★
Herpes Simplex (genital herpes)
★
Herpes Zoster (shingles)
★
Tinea (fungus)
★
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Inflammatory diseases
★
Eczema/Dermatitis
★
Lichen simplex (chronic eczema)
★
Psoriasis
★
Lichen sclerosus
★
Lichen planus
★
zoons vulvitis (
zoons balanitis in men)
★
Pemphigus vulgaris
★
Pemphigoid (mucous membrane pemphigoid, cicratricial pemphigoid, bullous pemphigoid)
Pain syndromes
★
Vulvodynia and vulvular vestibulitis
★
Vaginismus
Vulvar cancer
★
Squamous cell carcinoma (the most common kind)
★
Basal cell carcinoma
★
Melanoma
Symptoms of vulvar cancer include itching, a lump or sore on the vulva which doesn't heal and/or goes larger, and sometimes discomfort/pain/swelling in the vulval area. Treatments include
vulvectomy – removal of all or part of the vulva.
Ulcers
★
Aphthous ulcer
★
Behcet's Disease
Developmental disorders
★
Septate vagina
★ Vaginal opening extremely close to the urethra or anus
★ An
imperforate hymen
★ Various stages of
genital masculinization including fused labia, an absent or partially-formed vagina, urethra located on the clitoris.
★
Hermaphroditism
Other
★
Vulvar lymphangioma
★
Paget's disease
★
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
★
Bowen's disease
★
Bowenoid papulosis
★ Vulvar
varicose veins
★
Labial adhesions
★
Perineodynia (perineal pain)
★
Desquamative Inflammatory Vaginitis (DIV)
★ Childbirth tears and
Episiotomy related changes
Altering the female genitalia
Horizontal clitoral hood piercing
The most prevalent form of genital alteration in some countries is
female genital cutting: removal of any part of the female genitalia for cultural, religious or other non-medical reasons. When performed on female minors these procedures can be highly controversial, as reflected in their previous name, mutilation.
In some cases, people elect to have their genitals
pierced,
tattooed or otherwise altered for aesthetic or other reasons. Female genital enhancement surgery includes laser resurfacing of the labia to remove wrinkles, clitoral repositioning for those not achieving optimum stimulation,
labiaplasty (reducing the size of the labia) and
vaginal tightening.
Cultural attitudes
In some cultures, including modern Western culture, some women have
shaved or otherwise
depilated part or all of the vulva. This is a fairly recent phenomenon in the
United States, but has been prevalent, usually in the form of waxing, in many
eastern European and
Middle Eastern cultures for centuries, usually for the belief that it is more
hygienic. High-cut swimsuits compelled their wearers to shave the sides of their pubic triangles. Shaving may also include all or nearly all of the hair. Some styles retain a "racing stripe" (on either side of the labia) or "landing strip" (directly above and in line with the vulva). See the article on
pubic hair.
Since the early days of
Islam, Muslim women and men have followed a tradition to "pluck the armpit hairs and shave the pubic hairs". This is a preferred practice rather than an obligation, and could be carried out by shaving, waxing, trimming, or any other method. This is a regular practice that is considered in some more devout Muslim cultures as a form of worship, not a shameful practice, while in other less devout regions it is a practice for the purpose of good hygiene. (See
Islamic jurisprudence.) The reasons behind removing this hair could also be applied to the hair on the scrotum and around the anus, because the purpose is to be completely clean and pure and keep away from anything that may cause dirt and impurities.
[7]
Many cultures have commonly viewed the vulva as something shameful that should be hidden; for example, the term ''pudendum'', which denotes the external genitalia, literally means "shameful thing". However, some cultures have celebrated and even worshipped the vulva; some
Hindu sects revere it under the name ''
yoni'', and texts seem to indicate a similar attitude in some
ancient Middle Eastern religions. As an aspect of
Goddess worship such reverence may be part of modern
Neopagan beliefs, and may be indicated in
paleolithic artworks. Other cultures consider some or all parts of the vulva to be "unclean" and may go as far as to advocate the so-called "
female circumcision", which in fact exists in several levels of severity.
Many sculptors and painters have chosen not to display vulvas in their works, even when depicting nude women. The pubic region was often covered with a piece of cloth,
figleaf or a hand. When it was displayed or posed, it usually lacked pubic hair (see
glabrousness) as well as the physical depiction of the vulva, irrespective of whether the vulva would actually be visible in that pose. In modern times Japanese
anime artists often depict female characters without vulvas (even in
hentai pornography) to comply with
censorship laws.
As throughout history the actual or artistic display of vulvas was uncommon, aesthetic standards for the depiction of the vulva in the West developed after visual
pornography became more widespread. Currently, color desaturation is often used to purge photographic images of pornographic associations.
See also
Slang
★ — the
WikiSaurus list of synonyms and slang words for vulva in many languages
Health and function
★
Menopause
★
Orgasm
★
Vulvovaginal health
★
Gonad
Art
★ ''
L'Origine du monde'', the first realistic painting of a vulva in Western art
★
Sheela na Gig, ancient and medieval European carvings
★
Yoni, Indian depictions
References
1. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=vulva
2. http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/may/04/v_is_for/
3. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=vulva
4. http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?external+female+genital+organs
5. For slang terms for the "vulva", see — the WikiSaurus list of synonyms and slang words for female genitalia in many languages.
6. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072986360/student_view0/chapter4/glossary.html
7. According to Al-Munajjid, Sheikh Muhammad Saleh (Released 27th July 2004). "Islam Ruling on Shaving the Pubic Hair, Scrotum and Around the Anus".
External links
★
is for vulva, not just vagina," article discussing the common incorrect usage of the word "vagina."
★
Vulvar Anatomy Video - Video tour of the vulva detailing all the structures
★
Vulvas and Vaginas in Mythology, History and Art - This article by Kirsten Anderberg explores vulvas and vaginas in empowerment mythology, in history and in art.
★
The Vulva Revealed - Extensive descriptions and numerous illustrations showing the large variations in vulva shape among women.
★
Erogenous Dot - Numerous 'tasteful' illustrations showing the variation in appearance (warning: popups)
★
Pink Parts - "Walk through" of female sexual anatomy by sex activist and educator Heather Corinna (illustrations; no explicit photos)
★
Vulva in Voyeurweb Wiki.
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