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Encyclopedia > Labia (genitalia)

Labium (plural labia) is a Latin-derived term meaning "Lip". Labium and its derivatives (including labial, labrum) are used to describe any lip-like structure, but in the English language, labium often specifically refers to parts of the vulva. This article is about the part of the female external genitalia. ... For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Lip (disambiguation). ... A labrum (Latin for lip) is the large vessel of a warm bath in the Roman thermae. ... 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. ...

Contents

Anatomy and medical

The labia majora are lip-like structures comprised mostly of skin and adipose tissue, which extend on either side of the vulva to form the cleft of venus through the middle. After puberty, it is frequently covered with pubic hair. When standing or with the legs together, they usually entirely or partially cover the other parts of the vulva. Protection is the main function. Parts of a vulva The external genital organs of the female are collectively known as the vulva (also sometimes called the pudenda). ... Adipose tissue is one of the main types of connective tissue. ... 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 cleft of venus (pudendal cleft, pudendal fissure) is the furrow at the base of the mons veneris where it divides to form the labia majora. ... Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a childs body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. ... Pubic hair is hair in the frontal genital area, the crotch, and sometimes at the top of the inside of the legs; these areas form the pubic region. ... 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 labia minora (obsolete: nymphae) are two soft folds of skin between the labia majora and to either side of the opening of the vagina. The clitoris is anterior to the vulva where the labia minora meet superiorly. The visible tip of the clitoris, the clitoral glans, is entirely or partially covered by a "hood" of tissue (the clitoral hood). The labia minora (singular: labium minus) or nymphae[1] are two longitudinal cutaneous folds, that normally vary widely in size from woman to woman. ... The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in female mammals. ... The Clitoral Glans is an external portion of the clitoris. ... In a female human anatomy, the clitoral hood, (also called preputium clitoridis and clitoral prepuce), is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the clitoral glans. ...


The coloration, size and general appearance of the labia can vary extensively from woman to woman.[1] In some women the labia minora are almost non-existent, and in others they can be fleshy and protuberant. Usually, but not always, they are symmetrical. Some differences are purely personal, while others may be genetically linked; a striking example of the latter is the elongated labia minora of the Khoisan peoples, whose "khoikhoi aprons" can hang down up to four inches past their labia majora when they are standing. Khoisan women with pendulous labia visible. ... Khoisan (increasingly commonly spelled Khoesan or Khoe-San) is the name for two major ethnic groups of southern Africa. ...


During sexual arousal, the labia minora become engorged with blood, typically swelling slightly and darkening or reddening in color. Turn on redirects here. ... For other uses, see Blood (disambiguation). ...


Labiaplasty is a controversial plastic surgery procedure that involves the creation or reshaping of the labia. Labiaplasty (sometimes spelled labioplasty) is plastic surgery of the Labia majora and/or the Labia minora, the external folds of the vulva. ... For the album by The Huntingtons, see Plastic Surgery (album). ...


Social and cultural considerations

In many cultures and locations all over the world, the labia, as part of the genitalia, are considered private, or intimate, parts, whose exposure (especially in public) is governed by fairly strict socio-cultural mores. In many cases, public exposure is limited, and often prohibited, by law. [2] [3] A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, narrowly defined, is any of those parts of the body (which are not always bodily organs according to the strict definition) which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in an complex organism; namely: Male: penis (notably the glans penis... Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to control the flow of information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively. ... Private parts redirects here. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Gathering place. ... Mores are strongly held norms or customs. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Look up illegal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...


The clinical procedure of labiaplasty alters the appearance of the labia, for cosmetic or medical reasons. Labiaplasty (sometimes spelled labioplasty) is plastic surgery of the Labia majora and/or the Labia minora, the external folds of the vulva. ... For the album by The Huntingtons, see Plastic Surgery (album). ... “Surgeon” redirects here. ...


In some cultures, any of several areas of the female genitals are surgically altered or removed for religious, cultural, or hygienic purposes. Terms for these types of procedures include female circumcision, Pharaonic circumcision, intubation, infibulation, and female genital mutilation or cutting.[4] [5] In many parts of the world the practice is believed to have ancient origins, but even in countries where it has been widespread in the past, it is now mostly illegal. Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic... This article is about male circumcision. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Infibulation, in its modern use of the word, is the practice of surgical closure of the female labia majora by sewing them together to seal off the female genitalia, leaving only a small hole for the passage of urine and menstrual blood. ... Female circumcision (including excision) loosely refers to a number of procedures performed on the female genitalia and which are generally of a cultural, rather than medical, nature. ... Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic...


Labia piercing is a cosmetic piercing, usually with a special needle under sterile conditions, of either the inner labia (labia minora) or the outer labia (labia majora). Jewelry is worn in the resulting opening. The two lower piercings are in this womans labia. ... The term Sterility has several meanings: The quality or state of being unable to reproduce; of being infertile. ... The labia minora (singular: labium minus) or nymphae[1] are two longitudinal cutaneous folds, that normally vary widely in size from woman to woman. ... Parts of a vulva The external genital organs of the female are collectively known as the vulva (also sometimes called the pudenda). ... Jewelry (the American spelling; spelled jewellery in Commonwealth English) consists of ornamental devices worn by persons, typically made with gems and precious metals. ... In medicine, a fistula (pl. ...


Additional images

References

  1. ^ Femalia. Joani Blank. 978-0940208155
  2. ^ 617.23, Minnesota Statute
  3. ^ 18-4116 — INDECENT EXPOSURE - Idaho 18-4116 — INDECENT EXPOSURE - Idaho Code :: Justia
  4. ^ http://www.emro.who.int/publications/Book_Details.asp?ID=58|World Health Organization website
  5. ^ Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - Terminology and the main types of FGM

Joani Blank (born 1937) is an entrepreneur, editor, writer, videographer, educator, and inventor in the field of sexuality. ...

See also

Look up labium in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 151 languages. ... The penis (plural penises, penes) is an external male sexual organ. ... 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 cleft of venus (pudendal cleft, pudendal fissure) is the furrow at the base of the mons veneris where it divides to form the labia majora. ... The two lower piercings are in this womans labia. ... For other uses, see Lip (disambiguation). ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 151 languages. ...

External links

The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... The Bartholins glands (also called Bartholin glands or greater vestibular glands) are two glands located slightly below and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina in women. ... Bartholins ducts are a pair of ducts leading from the Bartholins glands to the surface of the vulva. ... In human anatomy, the Skenes glands (also known as the lesser vestibular, periurethral glands, or paraurethral glands[1]) are glands located on the upper wall of the vagina, around the lower end of the urethra. ... The Skenes ducts are a pair of ducts leading from the Skenes glands to the surface of the vulva, to the left and right of the urethral opening. ... Between the hymen and the frenulum of the labia is the fossa of vestibule of vagina (or fossa navicularis), while in the groove between the hymen and the labium minus, on either side, the small opening of the greater vestibular gland (Bartholin’s) can be seen. ... The fornices of the vagina are the deepest portions of the vagina, extending into the recesses created by the extension of the cervix into the vaginal space. ... For the Greek god of marriage, see Hymenaios. ... The vaginal orifice is a median slit below and behind the opening of the urethra; its size varies inversely with that of the hymen. ... The Wolffian duct (also known as archinephric duct, Leydigs duct, mesonephric duct, or nephric duct) is a paired organ found in mammals including humans during embryogenesis. ... Gartners duct is a potential embryological remnant in human female development of the mesonephric ducts. ... The epoophoron , also called organ of Rosenmüller, is a remnant of the Wolffian duct that can be found next to the ovary and fallopian tube. ... The paroöphoron consists of a few scattered rudimentary tubules, best seen in the child, situated in the broad ligament between the epoöphoron and the uterus. ... The Canal of Nuck, described by Anton Nuck in 1691, is an abnormal patent pouch of peritoneum extending into the labium major of women. ... ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The urethral sponge is a spongy cushion of tissue, found in the lower genital area of women, that sits against both the pubic bone and vaginal wall, and surrounds the urethra. ...

 

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