Vulva
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Vulva | |
|---|---|
| Artery | Dorsal artery of vulva |
| Nerve | Dorsal nerve of vulva |
| Precursor | Genital tubercle |
| MeSH | 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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[edit] Description
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 and mucus membrane are 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 females who have not engaged in penetrative sex, the opening of the vagina is sometimes partly covered by a membrane called the hymen. The hymen may rupture spontaneously during exercise, or be so minor as to not be noticeable.
Slightly below and to the left and right of the vaginal opening are two Bartholin glands; when the female is sexually aroused, she produces vaginal lubrication which can allow for sexual stimulation and/or penetration.
The area between the vulva and the anus is the perineum. The perineum may tear during childbirth. To prevent this, a doctor may perform an episiotomy, surgically cutting the perineum, which some believe to be more sterile. However, some women report that a natural tear has a lower instance of infection and a quicker healing time.
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 in an individual female.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 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 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 shaving 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. 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; 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,[citation needed] 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 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, 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.[citation needed] Currently, color desaturation is often used to purge photographic images of pornographic associations.
[edit] See also
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- WikiSaurus:vulva — the WikiSaurus list of synonyms and slang words for vulva in many languages
- Cleft of venus
- Menopause
- Orgasm
- Vulvovaginal health
- Pussy
- Cunt
- Gonad
- L'Origine du monde, a realistic painting of a vulva
- Sheela Na Gig
[edit] External links
- Vulvar Anatomy Video - An excellent video tour of the vulva detailing all the structures
- Vaginas in Mythology, History and Art - This article by Kirsten Anderberg respectfully explores 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; some may consider explicit
- Pink Parts - "Walk through" of female sexual anatomy by noted sex activist and educator Heather Corinna (illustrations; no explicit photos)
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