labia majora

IPA/ˌleɪ.bi.ə məˈdʒɔː.rə/
IPA/ˌleɪ.bi.ə məˈdʒɔːr.ə/

labia majora — noun

1. the pair of thick, elongated skin-covered pads that lie on either side of the va

1.noun
Definition

the pair of thick, elongated skin-covered pads that lie on either side of the vaginal entrance and make up the outermost portion of the female external genitals

Example

Dr. Chen pointed to the labia majora on the anatomical model for Yuki.

medical teaching context

The labia majora are the two outer folds of skin around the vaginal opening.

basic anatomical description

Common collocations
  • swollen labia majora
  • labia majora are covered with
  • labia majora protect
  • the outer surface of the labia majora
  • hair on the labia majora
Synonyms
  • outer labia

    less formal; commonly used in patient education leaflets to avoid Latin terminology

  • outer lips

    informal or colloquial; often used in general conversation or sex-education contexts

  • large lips of the vulva

    descriptive literal translation; used occasionally in instructional materials

Antonyms
  • labia minora

    the inner, smaller folds of skin that lie between the labia majora

Grammar Patterns

the + labia majora

Usage Note

This is always used as a plural noun. The singular form 'labium majus' exists but is very rare in everyday medical contexts. 'Labia majora' is a formal anatomical term used in medical, clinical, and educational settings.

Common Mistakes

She has a swollen labia majora.
Her labia majora are swollen.
The noun is grammatically plural, so it takes a plural verb.
The doctor examined her labia minora when she meant labia majora.
The doctor examined her labia majora.
Labia minora are the inner folds, which are smaller and lie inside the labia majora. The two terms describe different parts.

Word family

  • labium majus
    noun
  • labia minora
    noun
  • labial
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Labia majora' and 'labia minora' are paired anatomical terms for the two sets of skin folds that make up the female external genitalia (the vulva). The labia majora are the larger, outer pair, covered with pubic hair after puberty and containing fatty tissue. The labia minora are the smaller, inner pair, located just inside the labia majora and lacking hair. In everyday conversation, people often use the informal term 'outer lips' for the labia majora and 'inner lips' for the labia minora. 'Outer labia' is a semi-formal alternative used in patient leaflets and school health curricula. All three synonyms for the majora refer to the same structure but differ in formality: 'labia majora' is strictly medical, 'outer labia' is educational, and 'outer lips' is colloquial.

labia majora ↗outer labiaouter lipslabia minora

Common collocations

Nouns

  • labia majora skin
  • labia majora folds
  • labia majora area

Phrases

  • the outer surface of the labia majora
  • swelling of the labia majora
  • hair growth on the labia majora

Prepositions

  • on the labia majora
  • between the labia majora
  • around the labia majora

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The term 'labia majora' comes directly from Latin, where 'labia' means 'lips' and 'majora' is the neuter plural comparative form of 'magnus' meaning 'larger' or 'greater'. So the whole phrase translates literally as 'the larger lips'. It was adopted into English medical terminology in the 17th century through anatomical Latin, the international language of medicine at the time. The contrasting inner folds are called 'labia minora' ('the smaller lips').

First known use

1838

1838, in the meaning defined above