labia minora
Noun (plural: labia minora) The two thin, inner folds of skin that are part of the female external genitalia (the vulva), located within the outer folds (labia majora).
This is a specific anatomical term. It is used in medical, biological, and formal educational contexts to describe human female anatomy. * The labia minora are part of the vulva. * A doctor examined the labia minora. * The chapter describes the structure of the labia minora.
- The labia minora vary greatly in size, color, and shape from person to person.
- Inflammation can sometimes affect the labia minora.
- The labia minora are located medial to the labia majora.
- The term is almost exclusively used in its plural form ("labia minora"). The singular form "labium minus" is rarely used outside of highly technical anatomical descriptions.
- Labia majora (noun): The two outer, thicker folds of skin of the vulva.
- Vulva (noun): The collective term for the external female genital organs, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vaginal opening.
- Genitalia (noun): The reproductive or sexual organs.
There are no direct common-language synonyms for this precise anatomical term. In non-scientific contexts, it may be vaguely referred to as part of the "inner lips" (with "labia majora" being the "outer lips"), but this is descriptive, not a synonym.
This term has only one specific anatomical meaning. It does not have other general definitions.
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the two inner folds of the vulva