pudendum

American  

[pyoo-den-duhm] / pyuˈdɛn dəm /

noun

plural

pudenda

1. Anatomy. Usually pudenda the external genital organs, especially the vulva.

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pudendum British  

/ pjuːˈdɛndəm, ˈpjuːdɪk /

noun

1. (often plural) the human external genital organs collectively, esp of a female

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Sensitive Note

When pudendum first appeared in English in the 14th century, the term applied to all genitalia. But over time the term was used almost exclusively to mean the vulva. Some now find the term objectionable, as it is derived from the Latin verb “to be ashamed,” and therefore can project a negative image of human, and specifically female, sexuality. As a result, in 2019 it was announced that pudendum would be dropped from the next edition of the official international lexicon of anatomical terms Terminologia Anatomica. This likely means that use of the term, especially in scientific and medical contexts, will no longer be acceptable.

Other Word Forms

• pudendal adjective

Etymology

Origin of pudendum

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin, special use of neuter of Latin pudendus, gerundive of pudēre “to be ashamed”

Example Sentences

In a way, the pudendum debate can be seen as an extension of the movement to remove the names of unsavory “discoverers” from medicine.

From New York Times

She points out that the medical term "pudenda" which describes the outside of the vulva, comes from the Latin "pudet", which means "it shames".

From BBC

The pose is taken from “Olympia,” by Manet, who had borrowed it from Titian’s “Venus of Urbino,” but Stettheimer’s left hand, instead of resting on her pudendum, brandishes a bouquet of flowers.

From The New Yorker

Several of the accused were found to have “a preternatural excrescence of flesh between the pudendum and anus”.

From Economist

It now transpires that he has no job and is living in his car, but it looks like Tanya will have him anyway, seeing him as a mildly preferable alternative to paving over her pudenda.

From The Guardian