What does vulva mean?

Definitions for vulva
ˈvʌl vəvul·va

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word vulva.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. vulvanoun

    external parts of the female genitalia

Wiktionary

  1. vulvanoun

    The external female sexual organs, collectively.

  2. Etymology: From vulva, earlier volva, probably from volvare. Akin to Sanskrit.

Wikipedia

  1. Vulva

    The vulva (plural: vulvas or vulvae; derived from Latin for wrapper or covering) consists of the external female sex organs. The vulva includes the mons pubis (or mons veneris), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, vulval vestibule, urinary meatus, the vaginal opening, hymen, and Bartholin's and Skene's vestibular glands. The urinary meatus is also included as it opens into the vulval vestibule. Other features of the vulva include the pudendal cleft, sebaceous glands, the urogenital triangle (anterior part of the perineum), and pubic hair. The vulva includes the entrance to the vagina, which leads to the uterus, and provides a double layer of protection for this by the folds of the outer and inner labia. Pelvic floor muscles support the structures of the vulva. Other muscles of the urogenital triangle also give support. Blood supply to the vulva comes from the three pudendal arteries. The internal pudendal veins give drainage. Afferent lymph vessels carry lymph away from the vulva to the inguinal lymph nodes. The nerves that supply the vulva are the pudendal nerve, perineal nerve, ilioinguinal nerve and their branches. Blood and nerve supply to the vulva contribute to the stages of sexual arousal that are helpful in the reproduction process. Following the development of the vulva, changes take place at birth, childhood, puberty, menopause and post-menopause. There is a great deal of variation in the appearance of the vulva particularly in relation to the labia minora. The vulva can be affected by many disorders which may often result in irritation. Vulvovaginal health measures can prevent many of these. Other disorders include a number of infections and cancers. There are several vulval restorative surgeries known as genitoplasties, and some of these are also used as cosmetic surgery procedures. Different cultures have held different views of the vulva. Some ancient religions and societies have worshipped the vulva and revered the female as a goddess. Major traditions in Hinduism continue this. In western societies there has been a largely negative attitude typified by the medical terminology of pudenda membra, meaning parts to be ashamed of. There has been an artistic reaction to this in various attempts to bring about a more positive and natural outlook, such as work from British, American, and Japanese artists. While the vagina is a separate part of the anatomy, it has often been used synonymously with vulva.

ChatGPT

  1. vulva

    The vulva is the part of the female genital anatomy that includes the external, visible structures located outside the body. These structures include the labia majora, the labia minora, the clitoris, the vaginal opening, and the opening to the urethra. It plays key roles in sexual function, menstruation, and childbirth.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Vulvanoun

    the external parts of the female genital organs; sometimes, the opening between the projecting parts of the external organs

  2. Vulvanoun

    the orifice of the oviduct of an insect or other invertebrate

  3. Etymology: [L. vulva, volva, from volvere to roll.]

Wikidata

  1. Vulva

    The vulva consists of the external genital organs of the female mammal. This article deals with the vulva of the human being, although the structures are similar for other mammals. The vulva has many major and minor anatomical structures, including the labia majora, mons pubis, labia minora, clitoris, bulb of vestibule, vulval vestibule, greater and lesser vestibular glands, and the opening of the vagina. Its development occurs during several phases, chiefly during the fetal and pubertal periods of time. As the outer portal of the human uterus or womb, it protects its opening by a "double door": the labia majora and the labia minora. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, sustaining healthy microbial flora that flow from the inside out; the vulva needs only simple washing to assure good vulvovaginal health, without recourse to any internal cleansing. The vulva has a sexual function; these external organs are richly innervated and provide pleasure when properly stimulated. In various branches of art, the vulva has been depicted as the organ that has the power both to "give life", and to give sexual pleasure to humankind.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Vulva

    vul′va, n. the orifice of the external organs of generation of the female.—adjs. Vul′var, Vul′vate; Vul′viform, oval.—ns. Vulvis′mus, vaginismus; Vulvī′tis, inflammation of the vulva.—adjs. Vulvo-ū′terine, pertaining to the vulva and the uterus; Vulvovag′inal, pertaining to the vulva and the vagina.—n. Vulvovaginī′tis, inflammation of both the vulva and the vagina.

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Vulva

    The external genitalia of the female. It includes the CLITORIS, the labia, the vestibule, and its glands.

Entomology

  1. Vulva

    the orifice of the vagina in the female.

Matched Categories

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce vulva?

How to say vulva in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of vulva in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of vulva in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of vulva in a Sentence

  1. Amy Johnson:

    In no way shape or form is someone going to tweet, 'I have bumps on my vulva. Do you think it's an STI?'.

  2. Barb DePree:

    If you are experiencing itching in your vulva, it actually isn't all that likely to be ayeast infection, it’s more likely to be related to something that caused contact irritation, or a vulvar skin issue. Some women put up with months to years of irritation before seeking an exam, so don't assume itching and irritation is just a normal part of life for women. It isn't!

  3. Mary Jane Minkin:

    The vulva and vagina are some of the most sensitive tissues in the body to any allergies, so many people get bubble baths [as gifts], which leads to a lot of itching and burning because a lot of the agents are allergens.

  4. Erika Sanzi:

    Since when is it acceptable to teach 11-year-olds that they may want to start trying risky sexual behaviors (risky is their word, not mine) but they should not use the words male and female and opt instead for person with a penis and person with a vulva? these lessons coupled with the sinister manipulation of language will have grave consequences. It must be called out and rejected.

  5. Mary Jane Minkin:

    The vagina and the vulva are the most sensitive tissues in the body— to harsh soaps, fragrances, and all other possible allergens, when people think of ‘clean’ they tend to think of harsh, deodorizing soaps, but please don't use these. The less soap, the better. If you want to use a soap, use gentle pH balanced washes.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

vulva#10000#39542#100000

Translations for vulva

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for vulva »

Translation

Find a translation for the vulva definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"vulva." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/vulva>.

Discuss these vulva definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for vulva? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    vulva

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    an impression that something might be the case
    A impurity
    B breastwork
    C hunch
    D hypernym

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for vulva: