Vulva
Sign in to saveIn mammals, the vulva (: vulvas or vulvae) comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands (Bartholin's and Skene's). The folds of the outer and inner labia provide a double layer of protection for the vagina (which leads to the uterus). While the vagina is a separate part of the anatomy, colloquially the term has often been used synonymously with
AI overview
The vulva is the external part of female genitalia in mammals, made up of several structures including the labia, clitoris, and various openings that lead into the reproductive tract. These structures serve protective and functional roles, with the labial folds providing a protective layer for the internal reproductive system.
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Key facts
- Anatomy.Width
- 300px
- Anatomy.Name
- Vulva
- Anatomy.Latin
- vulva, pudendum muliebre, pudendum femininum
- Anatomy.Image
- Genital Diversity Expanded.jpg
- Anatomy.Caption
- Natural variation in vulvar appearance
- Anatomy.Precursor
- Genital tubercle, urogenital folds, labioscrotal swellings, urogenital sinus
- Anatomy.System
- Reproductive system, genitourinary system
- Anatomy.Artery
- Internal pudendal artery, superficial external pudendal artery, deep external pudendal artery, labial arteries, clitoral arteries
- Anatomy.Vein
- Internal pudendal veins, external pudendal veins, labial veins, clitoral veins
Article
34 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Mons pubis
- Labia
- Clitoris
- Vestibule
- Muscles
- Blood, lymph and nerve supply
- Variations
- Development
- Prenatal development
- Childhood
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Function and physiology
- Sexual stimulation and arousal
- Clinical significance
- Irritation
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Cancer
- Other
- Childbirth
- Surgery
- Society and culture
- Altering the female genitalia
- Female genital mutilation
- Etymology
- Terminology
- Religion and art
- Other animals
- Additional images
- See also
- References
- External links
In mammals, the vulva (: vulvas or vulvae) comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands (Bartholin's and Skene's). The folds of the outer and inner labia provide a double layer of protection for the vagina (which leads to the uterus). While the vagina is a separate part of the anatomy, colloquially the term has often been used synonymously with vulva. Pelvic floor muscles support the structures of the vulva. Other muscles of the urogenital triangle also give support.
Blood supply to the vulva comes from the three pudendal arteries. The internal pudendal veins give drainage. Afferent lymph vessels carry lymph away from the vulva to the inguinal lymph nodes. The nerves that supply the vulva are the pudendal nerve, perineal nerve, ilioinguinal nerve and their branches. Blood and nerve supply to the vulva contribute to the stages of sexual arousal that are helpful in the reproduction process.