labia

IPA/ˈleɪbiə/
IPA/ˈleɪbiə/

labia — noun

1. the two pairs of soft, fleshy folds of tissue that sit around the outer opening

1.nounC1
Definition

the two pairs of soft, fleshy folds of tissue that sit around the outer opening of a woman's genitals and help shield the inner body parts

Example

The doctor explained to Yara how the labia change during puberty.

medical context: explaining anatomical development during puberty

Hao learned about the structure and function of the labia in his biology class.

collocation: structure and function of the + noun

Common collocations
  • inner labia
  • outer labia
  • swollen labia
  • labial folds
  • labia majora
  • labia minora
  • labia during puberty
  • sore labia
  • irritated labia
Synonyms
  • vulva

    broader term that includes the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening

  • labia majora

    the outer, larger pair of folds specifically

  • labia minora

    the inner, smaller pair of folds specifically

  • genitals

    much broader; refers to all external reproductive organs of either sex

Grammar Patterns

the labia

labia + verb (plural)

the labia majora / labia minora

Usage Note

Always used in the plural form in modern medical and everyday English. The singular labium exists in technical anatomical writing but is rare in general use. The outer, larger folds are called the labia majora and the inner, smaller folds are called the labia minora.

Common Mistakes

One of her labia was swollen' (treating labia as singular).
One of her labial folds was swollen' or 'Part of her labia was swollen.
labia is always plural; there is no 'one labia.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Labia refers specifically to the two pairs of fleshy folds at the vaginal entrance. Vulva is the broader anatomical term that includes the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening all together — so the labia are part of the vulva. Labia majora and labia minora name each pair separately: majora are the outer, larger folds covered with pubic hair after puberty, while minora are the inner, smaller folds that lie inside the majora. Genitals (or genitalia) is the most general term, covering all external reproductive organs of both males and females, so it is far less precise when you need to discuss this specific area. For example, a doctor might say 'the labia appear healthy' to be precise, or 'the vulva shows signs of irritation' to include the whole area.

labia ↗vulva ↗labia majora ↗labia minoragenitals ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • labia majora
  • labia minora
  • the inner labia
  • the outer labia
  • sore labia
  • swollen labia

Prepositions

  • of the labia
  • around the labia
  • on the labia
  • between the labia

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin labia, the plural of labium meaning 'lip'. The medical use dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, when Renaissance anatomists named the folds labia because of their close visual resemblance to the lips of the mouth. The Latin diminutives labia majora (literally 'greater lips') and labia minora ('lesser lips') were established in anatomical terminology by the late 1600s and persist unchanged in modern medical English.