Vulva, Mons, Labia, Clitoris, Vestibule, Urethral Opening, and Vaginal Opening

The vulva is the female external genitalia that consist of the pubic hair, mons veneris, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urethral opening, vaginal opening (introitus), and perineum.

Vulva Photo Gallery - What Normal Labia Looks Like

Mons Veneris

The mons veneris (Latin for “hill of Venus”) also known as mons pubis is the pad of fatty tissues covering the pubic bone. There are numerous nerves endings on the mons veneris and some women experience sexual pleasure from touching or putting pressure on the mons.

Labia Majora

The labia majora also known as the outer lips of the vulva consist mostly of skin and fatty tissues that extend downward from the mons to the perineum. There are numerous nerves endings on the labia majora similar to the mons that may provide pleasure from touching or applying pressure to this area.

Labia Minora

The labia minora or inner lips of the vulva are located within the labia majora consist of fold of hairless skin that joins the clitoral hood and extend downward past the urinary and vaginal openings. The labia minora function is to protect the clitoris, urethra, and vagina.

The labia minora vary in different size, shape, length, and color. The appearances vary between women, in some women the labia minora are hidden behind labia major and in others it may be protruded. The labia minora contains numerous sweat glands, oil glands, blood vessels, and nerve endings. The labia minora is sensitive to touch and become engorge with blood during sexual arousal.

Clitoris

The clitoris consists of the external shaft and glans. The clitoral shaft becomes the crura that project inward from each side of the shaft and connect to the pubic bones. The clitoral shaft contains two small spongy structures called the cavernous bodies similar to the penis that engorge with blood during sexual arousal.

The shaft cannot be seen as it is underneath the surface of the skin. The glans is usually covered by clitoral hood and cannot be seen unless you gently parts the labia minora and retract the hood. The clitoral hood is similar to the foreskin of the male penis. The shape and size of the clitoris vary between women.

The clitoral glans may appear small but it has the same number of nerve endings as the head of the penis. The glans is highly sensitive to touch and most women prefer stimulating the clitoris with hood covering rather than direct stimulation which can be too intense. Research into female masturbation indicates that most women prefer clitoral stimulation over vaginal insertion to achieve sexual arousal and orgasm. The only function of the clitoris is sexual pleasure and sexual arousal.

Smegma can accumulate under the hood and collect around the clitoris and labia minora that can cause pain during sexual arousal. Smegma is the combination of genital secretions, skin cells, and bacteria that accumulate in moist areas of the glans of both male and female genitalia. You can clean the smegma by retracting the hood and wash gently with soap and water on daily basis to prevent the buildup of smegma.

Vestibule

The vestibule is the area of the vulva inside the labia minora. The vestibule is rich in blood vessels and has numerous nerves endings that are sensitive to touch.

Urethral Opening

The urethra is the short tube connecting the bladder to the urinary opening that passes the urine out of a woman’s body.

Vaginal Opening (Introitus)

The vaginal opening also known as the introitus is located between the urethral opening and the anus. The vaginal opening is partially covered by very thin membrane called the hymen that is present at birth and remains intact until penetration.

Perineum

The perineum is the area of smooth skin of the vulva between the vaginal opening and the anus. The perineum has numerous nerves endings and sensitive to touch.

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