Labium (plural labia) is a Latin-derived term meaning "Lip". Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Lips are a visible body part at the mouth of humans and many animals 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. The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs

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. The labia majora (singular labium majus) are two prominent Longitudinal Cutaneous folds which extend downward and backward from the Mons pubis "Adipose" redirects here For the Doctor Who monster see " Partners in Crime " The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs 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 After puberty, it is frequently covered with pubic hair. 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 When standing or with the legs together, they usually entirely or partially cover the other parts of the vulva. The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs Protection is the main function.

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 labia minora (singular labium minus) or nymphae are two longitudinal Cutaneous folds on the human Vulva. The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus The clitoris is anterior to the vulva where the labia minora meet superiorly. The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in Female Mammals In humans the visible button-like portion is located near the Anterior The visible tip of the clitoris, the clitoral glans, is entirely or partially covered by a "hood" of tissue (the clitoral hood). The clitoral glans (glans clitoridis is an external portion of the Clitoris. In Female Human Anatomy, the clitoral hood, (also called preputium clitoridis and clitoral prepuce) is a fold of Skin

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. Elongated labia (also known as Sinus pudoris and albeit nonmedically as khoikhoi apron or hottentot apron) is an apparently genetic feature of certain 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. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells ��such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products

Labiaplasty is a controversial plastic surgery procedure that involves the creation or reshaping of the labia. Labiaplasty (sometimes spelled labioplasty and sometimes referred to as labia minor reduction or labial reduction) is Plastic surgery of the Plastic surgery is a medical specialty interested in the correction of form and function

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. A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively An intimate or private part is a place on the human body which it is usually customary to keep covered with Clothing in public areas as a matter of Decency A public space refers to an area or place that is open and accessible to all citizens regardless of Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Age or Mores (ˈmɔːreɪz are norms or customs Mores derive from the established practices of a society rather than its written Laws. In many cases, public exposure is limited, and often prohibited, by law. See also Public indecency, Exhibitionism Indecent exposure is the deliberate exposure by a person of a portion or portions of his or her own body under ^{[2] [3]}

The clinical procedure of labiaplasty alters the appearance of the labia, for cosmetic or medical reasons. Labiaplasty (sometimes spelled labioplasty and sometimes referred to as labia minor reduction or labial reduction) is Plastic surgery of the Plastic surgery is a medical specialty interested in the correction of form and function Surgery (from the χειρουργική cheirourgikē, via chirurgiae meaning "hand work" is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental

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. Female genital cutting (FGC also known as female genital mutilation (FGM female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C refers to Male circumcision is the removal of some or all of the Foreskin (prepuce from the Penis. In Medicine, intubation refers to the placement of a tube into an external or internal orifice of the body See also Female genital cutting Infibulation, in modern usage is the practice of surgical closure of the Labia majora (outer lips of the vulva by sewing Female genital cutting (FGC also known as female genital mutilation (FGM female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C refers to Female genital cutting (FGC also known as female genital mutilation (FGM female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C refers to ^{[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.

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). Labia piercings are a type of female Genital piercing. This piercing can be placed either through the Labia minora or the Labia majora. The labia minora (singular labium minus) or nymphae are two longitudinal Cutaneous folds on the human Vulva. The labia majora (singular labium majus) are two prominent Longitudinal Cutaneous folds which extend downward and backward from the Mons pubis Jewelry is worn in the resulting opening. Jewellery (also spelled jewelry, see spelling differences) is a personal Ornament, such as a necklace ring or bracelet made from Gemstones In medicine a fistula (pl fistulas or fistulae is an abnormal connection or passageway between two Epithelium -lined organs or vessels that normally do not connect

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

1. ^ Femalia. Joani Blank. Joani Blank (born 1937 is an Entrepreneur, editor, writer Videographer, educator and inventor in the field of sexuality. 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

See also

• Penis
• Vulva
• Cleft of Venus
• Labia piercing
• 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