You’ve probably heard people use the word "vagina" to describe everything down there. It’s common. It’s also technically incorrect. Honestly, most of us grew up with a pretty vague understanding of our own plumbing because health classes usually gloss over the details or stick to clinical diagrams that look like they were drawn in 1954.
The vulva is the external part. That’s the simplest way to put it.
When we talk about the parts of a vulva, we are talking about a complex, highly sensitive gateway. It isn't just one thing. It’s a collection of structures that serve different purposes, from protection and urination to intense sexual pleasure. Understanding this anatomy isn't just about semantics; it’s about health, autonomy, and knowing when something actually feels "off."
The Mons Pubis and the Outer Gates
At the very top, you’ve got the mons pubis. It’s that fleshy, fatty mound over the pubic bone. Its primary job is basically acting as a pillow. It protects the joint where your pelvic bones meet, especially during physical activity or sex. After puberty, this is where most of the pubic hair lives. People have strong opinions about grooming here, but from a biological standpoint, that hair is there to reduce friction and trap pheromones.
Then there are the labia majora.
Think of these as the outer lips. They are relatively large and fleshy, containing sweat and oil-secreting glands. Once you hit puberty, the labia majora get covered with skin and hair. They fold over to protect the more delicate inner structures. It's wild how much they vary. Some are thin, some are thick, some are asymmetrical—and all of that is completely normal.
Dr. Jen Gunter, a prominent OB-GYN and author of The Vagina Bible, often emphasizes that "normal" is a massive spectrum. There is no "standard" look for a vulva, despite what plastic surgery marketing might try to tell you.
The Inner Folds and the Mystery of the Labia Minora
Moving inward, we find the labia minora. These are the "inner lips."
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They don't have hair. What they do have is a massive supply of blood vessels and nerve endings. They can be tiny and tucked away, or they can peek out past the labia majora. They might be pink, brownish, or even purplish. When you get aroused, these tissues actually engorge with blood and darken in color.
It is incredibly common for people to feel self-conscious if their labia minora are visible or "long." There’s even a term for it—labial hypertrophy—but doctors generally agree that unless it’s causing physical pain or catching on clothing, it’s just a natural variation. In fact, a study published in the BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology looked at the measurements of hundreds of women and found that the range of "normal" is huge. Some inner lips were 2 centimeters wide, others were 10. Both are fine.
The Clitoris: More Than a Button
Then we get to the clitoris. This is the only organ in the human body dedicated exclusively to pleasure.
Most people think of it as a small "pea" at the top of the vulva. That’s just the glans, or the tip. The clitoral hood (the prepuce) covers it, much like a foreskin. But the clitoris is actually huge. It’s like an iceberg. Beneath the surface, it has two "crura" or legs that wrap around the vaginal opening and bulbs that extend internally.
When you’re talking about the parts of a vulva, the clitoris is the undisputed heavyweight champion of nerve endings. It has roughly 8,000 to 10,000 of them. To put that in perspective, the glans of a penis only has about 4,000.
The Vestibule and the Openings
The space inside the labia minora is called the vestibule. It’s the "courtyard."
Inside this area, you’ll find two very different holes.
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- The urethral opening. This is where you pee from. It’s tiny and sits just below the clitoris.
- The vaginal opening (the introitus). This is located further down toward the perineum. This is the actual entrance to the vagina.
People often confuse these two, which makes using things like tampons or menstrual cups a nightmare for beginners. If you try to put a tampon in your urethra, it’s going to hurt, and it’s not going to go in.
Surrounding the vaginal opening is the hymen.
Forget everything you’ve heard about the hymen being a "seal" that breaks. It’s not. It’s a thin, flexible piece of tissue that partially covers the opening. It can be worn away by exercise, tampons, or just general movement. Some people are born with very little hymen tissue at all. The idea that it "pops" or signifies virginity is a social myth, not a medical reality.
The Glands You Never Knew You Had
Tucked away near the vaginal opening are the Bartholin’s glands. You usually can't see them or feel them. They produce a small amount of fluid that helps lubricate the vulva. Occasionally, these can get blocked and form a cyst, which feels like a firm, sometimes painful lump. If that happens, you see a doctor, but most of the time, they just do their job in the background without any fanfare.
Skene’s glands sit near the urethra. These are often called the "female prostate" because they are homologous to the male prostate gland. They are thought to be involved in lubrication and possibly female ejaculation.
The Perineum and the Back Exit
Finally, we have the perineum. This is the stretch of skin between the bottom of the vulva and the anus. It’s part of the pelvic floor. During childbirth, this area stretches significantly. It’s a bridge of sorts, marking the end of the vulvar region.
Why the Labels Matter
Why bother learning all these parts of a vulva?
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Because you cannot advocate for your health if you don't have the vocabulary. If you have a sore on your labia majora but you tell your doctor your "vagina hurts," they might start looking for an internal infection (like yeast or BV) instead of a skin issue. Precision helps with diagnosis.
It also helps with self-examination.
Health experts recommend grabbing a hand mirror once a month and just looking. You want to check for new moles, changes in skin color, or unusual bumps. Vulvar cancer is rare, but it happens, and it’s often caught late because people aren't looking down there regularly. If you know your "baseline," you'll know immediately if something changes.
Taking Care of Your Anatomy
The vulva is a self-cleaning-adjacent area. The vagina (the inside) is definitely self-cleaning. The vulva (the outside) needs very little intervention.
- Ditch the scented soaps. The skin here is incredibly thin and absorbent. Harsh chemicals can cause contact dermatitis or disrupt the pH balance.
- Warm water is usually enough. If you must use soap, stick to a very mild, fragrance-free cleanser on the outer parts only.
- Breathable fabric is your friend. Cotton underwear allows for airflow. Synthetic fabrics trap moisture, which is basically a VIP invitation for yeast to grow.
- Sleep naked if you can. Giving the area a break from friction and moisture overnight is one of the easiest ways to prevent irritation.
Actionable Steps for Vulvar Health
If you’ve realized your knowledge was a bit rusty, here is how to actually use this information.
First, do a self-check. Take five minutes with a mirror in a well-lit room. Identify the clitoral hood, the labia minora, and the urethral opening. Use a anatomy chart as a reference if you need to. Knowing what your specific anatomy looks like when it's healthy is the best diagnostic tool you have.
Second, audit your products. Look at your laundry detergent, your body wash, and even your "feminine wipes." If they have heavy perfumes or "fragrance," consider swapping them out. If you’re experiencing persistent itching or redness, the culprit is often a product you’re using.
Third, track your changes. If you notice a bump that doesn't go away in a week or a patch of skin that stays white or bright red, make an appointment with a gynecologist or a dermatologist. Don't wait for it to "go away."
The vulva is a remarkably resilient part of the body, but it’s also sensitive to its environment. Treating it with the same respect and attention as the rest of your skin is the bare minimum for long-term health. Knowing the names of the parts is just the beginning of actually taking care of them.