Labium

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This article is about the part of the female external genitalia. For other uses, see labium (disambiguation).

Anterior view of an adult woman with pubic hair removed, showing labia majora. Labia minora are hidden under labia majora.

1 Definition
2 Anatomy and medical
3 Social and Cultural Considerations
4 Additional images
5 See Also
6 External links
7 References

[edit] Definition

Labium (plural labia) is a Latin-derived term meaning "Lip". Labium and its derivatives (including buceta, labial, labrum) are used to describe any lip-like structure, but in the English language, labium often specifically refers to parts of the vulva.

An adult woman with pubic hair partially removed, showing labia majora and protruding labia minora.

Labia majora and minora of an adult woman; other structures of the vulva are also visible.

[edit] 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, 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 color of the outside skin of the labia majora is usually close to the overall skin color of the individual, although there is considerable variation. The inside skin is often pink or brownish.

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 at the front of the vulva where the labia minora meet at the top. 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. In some women the labia minora are almost non-existent, and in others they can be fleshy and protuberant. 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.^[1]

During sexual arousal, the labia becomes 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.

[edit] Social and Cultural Considerations

In most Western cultures, as the most visible portion of the female genitals, the labia are frequently considered to be private or intimate parts, the exposure of which is governed by fairly strict socio-cultural mores.

Some women, particularly those involved in pornography or exotic dancing, seek labiaplasty to alter the appearance of their labia.^{[citation needed]}