Vulva
The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs of the female, including the labia majora, mons pubis, labia minora, clitoris, bulb of the vestibule, vestibule of the vagina, greater and lesser vestibular glands, and vaginal orifice.
The vulva has many major and minor anatomical structures. Its development occurs during several phases, chiefly the fetal and pubertal periods. Outer portal of the human matrix or womb, it protects its opening by a "double door": the labia majora and the labia minora, as well as a vulval vestibule, and a normal microbial flora that flows from the inside out. Normal external cleanliness is usually sufficient to assure good vulvovaginal health, without recourse to any internal cleansing. The vulva is more susceptible to infections than the penis.
These external body structures also have a sexual function; they are richly innervated and provide pleasure when properly stimulated. Since the origin of human society, in various branches of art the vulva has been depicted as the organ that has the power both "to give life" (i.e., often associated with the womb in pre-historic periods and antiquity, decreasingly so as science has progressed), and to give sexual pleasure to humankind.
In common speech, the term vagina is often used to refer to the vulva or female genitals generally, although, strictly speaking, the vagina is a specific internal structure, whereas the vulva is the exterior genitalia.
This article deals with the human vulva, although the structures are similar for other mammals.
"Innie" and "outie" vulvas, labiaplasty
The look of vulvas can vary greatly among individuals, and change with age and certain medical conditions.
Some people may refer to vulvas as being either an innie or an outie. "Innie" means that in a neutral position, legs closed, the labia minora are completely invisible, while "outie" means they are visible. A study found that 56% of the 244 women tested in 2012-2013 had visible labia minora. [1]
A labiaplasty is surgery to reduce the size of the labia minora.
Misused words, colloquialisms, vulgarisms
Laypeople often incorrectly use the term vagina to refer to the vulva or to the female genitalia generally. The vagina is in fact a specific internal structure, the birth canal, whereas the vulva is the visible exterior genitalia.[2]
- a widespread colloquialism for the vulva is pussy. There are also many other words,
- a vulgarism is cunt. It is also used as a swearword,
- in Australian English the word cunt can however also be used to refer colloquially to a person you like and respect.
References
External links
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Vulva ]
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