vulva

American  

[vuhl-vuh] / ˈvʌl və /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

vulvae, vulvas

1. the external female genitalia.

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vulva British  

/ ˈvʌlvə, ˈvʌlvɪˌfɔːm, ˈvʌlveɪt /

noun

1. the external genitals of human females, including the labia, mons veneris, clitoris, and the vaginal orifice

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vulva Scientific  

/ vŭl′və /

plural

vulvas

1. The external genitals of female mammals, including the labia and clitoris.

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vulva Cultural  

1. The external organs of the female reproductive system.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvulval
  adjective
• nonvulvar
  adjective
• vulval
  adjective
• vulvar
  adjective
• vulvate
  adjective
• vulviform
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of vulva

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1540–50

Compare meaning

How does vulva compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• vulva vs. labia
• vulva vs. vagina

Explanation

The vulva is the external parts of the vagina, and the vulva is important for both sex and birth. While many words have many meanings, vulva is not one of those words. The only thing this word refers to is the external (outside) parts of the vagina. This includes the labia, the opening of the urethra, and the clitoris, which is the female sexual organ. You can think of the vulva as the opening to the vagina, but it is also very important in itself.

Related Words

• genitalia