Labium
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Overview
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.
Anatomy
The labia majora are lip-like structures comprised mostly of skin and adipose tissue, which extend on either side of the vulva, and after puberty are naturally covered with pubic hair. When standing or with the legs together, they usually entirely or partially cover the other parts of the vulva.
The labia minora (obsolete: nymphae) are two soft folds of skin within 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 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. It is not uncommon for them to be asymmetrical. Some differences are purely personal, while others may be genetically linked; a striking example of the latter being 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.[2]
During sexual arousal, the labia become engorged with blood, typically swelling slightly and darkening or reddening in color.
Labiaplasty is a controversial plastic surgery procedure that involves the creation or reshaping of the labia.
Additional images
 Outer anatomy of clitoris. |
 Organs of the female reproductive system. |
 Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment. |
 Median sagittal section of female pelvis. |
References
- ↑ Femalia. Joani Blank. 978-0940208155
- ↑ Baker, John R. (1974). The ‘Hottentot Venus’. Oxford University Press. Retrieved on 2006-06-26.
See also
- Penis
- Vulva
- Cleft of Venus
- Lip
- WikiSaurus:labia — the WikiSaurus list of synonyms and slang words for the labia in many languages
External links
- Lips variations - large collection of female genitals variations
- sexy labia - website honouring the labia
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
