vulva

IPA/ˈvʌlvə/
KK[vˈʊlvə]IPA/ˈvʌlvə/

vulva — noun

  • vulvasingular
  • vulvaeplural

1. the outer sex organs of the female body, including the labia and the entrance to

1.nounB2
Definition

the outer sex organs of the female body, including the labia and the entrance to the vagina

Example

Dr. Okafor showed the student a model of the vulva during the biology lesson.

collocation: a model of the vulva — educational context

Alessia noticed a small red spot on her vulva and made an appointment.

Common collocations
  • examine the vulva
  • check the vulva
  • vulva infection
  • vulva cancer
  • lump on the vulva

Usage Note

This is the standard medical term for the external female genitals. In casual conversation, some people avoid the word and use expressions like 'down there' or 'private parts' instead.

Common Mistakes

The doctor examined her vulva with a speculum.' (when describing an internal check).
The doctor examined her vagina with a speculum.
the vulva is the outer area; the vagina is the internal passage that a speculum enters.

Word family

  • vulvar
    adjectiveC2
  • vulval
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Vulva, vagina, labia, and clitoris are all parts of female anatomy but refer to different structures. The vulva is the entire outer genital area — everything visible from the outside. The vagina is the internal muscular canal that leads from the vulva to the cervix. The labia are the two pairs of skin folds (inner and outer 'lips') that are part of the vulva and protect the other structures. The clitoris is a small, highly sensitive organ at the top of the vulva. A common mistake is using 'vagina' to mean the whole female genital area; medically, the vagina is only the internal passage.

vagina ↗labia ↗clitoris ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • vulva cancer
  • vulva infection
  • vulva pain
  • vulva examination

Phrases

  • examination of the vulva
  • lump on the vulva

Prepositions

  • on the vulva
  • of the vulva
  • around the vulva

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin vulva, meaning 'womb' or 'female genitals'. The word was adopted into English through medical texts and has been used since the 14th century as the standard anatomical term.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined above