Vulva
The external
genital organs of the female are collectively known as the
vulva.
In
human beings this consists of the
labia majora and
labia minora (while these names translate as "large" and "small" lips, often the "minora" can be larger, and protrude outside the "majora"),
clitoris, opening of the
urethra (
meatus), and the opening of the
vagina.
(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 and the vulva is the exterior genitalia only. Calling the vulva the vagina is akin to calling the mouth the throat.)
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Labelled picture of the external human female genitalia, vulva, with the labia held apart to reveal the clitoris and inner structures. |
The soft mound at the front of the vulva (fatty tissue covering the pubic bone) is the
mons pubis, or specifically for human females, the
mons veneris or "mound of
Venus". After
puberty it is covered with
pubic hair, the amount being determined primarily by heredity. The labia majora or large lips extend on either side of the vulva, and are also covered with pubic hair. The labia majora entirely or partially hide the other parts of the vulva. 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 is often pink or brownish.
The labia minora are two soft folds of skin within the labia majora and to either side of the opening of the vagina. Between them is the
vulval vestibule. The
clitoris is at the front of the vulva where the labia minora meet. The visible tip of the clitoris, the
clitoral glans is entirely or partially covered by a 'hood' of tissue (the
clitoral hood).
Below the clitoris and just in front of the vagina is the urethral opening. This is where urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body.
The opening of the
vagina is near the back (or bottom) end of the vulva. In women who have not yet had
sexual intercourse, the opening of the vagina is sometimes partially covered by a piece of skin, the
hymen.
Slightly below and to the left and right of the vaginal opening are two
Bartholin glands; when the woman is sexually aroused, she produces a
lubricating substance that makes
sexual penetration easier (the
vagina also exudes
vaginal lubrication). If this lubrication is insufficient, artificial lubrication may be used to facilitate sexual intercourse.
The area between the vulva and the
anus is the
perineum. The perineum may tear during childbirth. To prevent this, doctors may perform an
Episiotomy, surgically cutting the perineum, which some believe to be more sterile. However, some believe that a natural tear has a lower instance of infection and quicker healing time.
The appearance of the vulva and the size of the various parts varies a great deal from one woman to another, and it is common for the left and right sides to not "match" exactly in an individual woman.
Sexual Homology
In short, this is a known list of sex organs that evolve from the same tissue in a human life.
The anatomy of the vulva is related to the anatomy of the male genitalia by a common 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.
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 purpose of
hygiene. 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 are obliged by Islamic law to "pluck the armpit hairs, and shave the pubic hairs". This obligation could be fullfilled by shaving, waxing, trimming, or any other
shaving method. This is a regular practice that has to be done at most every forty days, not more, and 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. Only the husband is allowed to help the woman, as Islamic law allows only husbands to see their wives' genitals. 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 according to Al-Munajjid, Sheikh Muhammad Saleh (Released 27th July 2004).
"Islam Ruling on Shaving the Pubic Hair, Scrotum and Around the Anus".
Many
cultures have commonly viewed the vulva as something shameful that should be hidden; the term
pudendum literally means "shameful thing." However, in some other cultures it has been celebrated and even worshipped. In some
Hindu sects the vulva is revered 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 . Some cultures consider some or all parts of the vulva to be "unclean" and go as far as to advocate
female circumcision.
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,
fig leaf or a hand. When it was displayed, it usually lacked pubic hair (
acomoclitic trend) and the vulva, even though the vulva would be visible on a real woman in that particular pose. In modern times Japanese
anime artists often depict female characters without vulvas (even in
hentai pornography) to comply with
censorship laws. Because for most of history vulvas were neither displayed by women, nor shown in art, aesthetic standards for the vulva in the West developed after visual
pornography became more widespread. Currently, color desaturation is often used to purge photographic images of associations with pornography.
The title of
John Cleland's erotic classic,
Fanny Hill, or the Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, is a
punning reference to this anatomical feature: '
Fanny' being a
British English slang term for the vulva.
The terms
Cameltoe, Moose knuckle, and
Cat's paw describe a condition produced when wearing pants/shorts so tight that the shape of the vulva becomes clearly visible.
In one of his older skits called "The Bookmobile",
David Letterman produced an alleged book by
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, entitled
The 100 Dumbest Questions I've Been Asked. Number 17: "Why does she want me to touch her Volvo?"
In a celebrated
Seinfeld episode, Jerry Seinfeld does not remember his girlfriend's name - he only remembers her joke that it rhymes with a female body part. George's guess of "Mulva" is not successful; it was actually "Dolores," which rhymes with
clitoris in some dialects.
In one episode of
Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray's mother unwittingly sculpts a statue that looks like a vulva.
In the film
East is East the son's art project is revealed to be a model of a vulva - done from a life pose by a local girl, we learn. The crafted vulva is accidentally thrown onto a visiting prospective in-law.
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WikiSaurus:vulva — the
WikiSaurus list of synonyms and slang words for vulva in many languages
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Cleft of venus*
Menopause*
Orgasm*
Vulvovaginal health*
Pussy*
Cunt*
Gonad*
Vulvar Anatomy Video - An excellent video tour of the vulva detailing all the structures
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Vaginas in Mythology, History and Art - This article by Kirsten Anderberg respectfully explores vaginas in empowerment mythology, in history and in art...
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The Vulva Revealed - Extensive descriptions and numerous illustrations showing the large variations in vulva shape among women; some may consider explicit
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Pink Parts - "Walk through" of female sexual anatomy by noted sex activist and educator Heather Corinna (illustrations; no explicit photos)
