B)
Clitoral hood C)
Labia minora D)
Labia majora E)
Posterior commissure of labia majora F)
Clitoral glans G) Inner surface of labia majora H)
Vulvar vestibule I)
External urethral orifice J)
Vaginal orifice K)
Fourchette The
labia majora are lip-like structures consisting mostly of skin and
adipose (fatty) tissue, which extend on either side of the vulva to form the
pudendal cleft through the middle. They enclose and protect the other tissues of the vulva. The labia majora often have a plump appearance, and are thicker towards the anterior. The internal surface of the labia minora is a thin moist skin, with the appearance of a mucous membrane. They contain many sebaceous glands, and occasionally have eccrine sweat glands. The labia minora have many sensory nerve endings, and have a core of
erectile tissue.
Diversity The color, size, length, and shape of the inner labia can vary extensively from woman to woman. and texturally can vary between smooth and very rugose.
Embryonic development and changes over time The
urogenital folds form the labia minora while the
labioscrotal swellings become the labia majora. for females, which is a scale for tracking physical changes that occur during puberty. Progression of pubic hair growth can be seen on the right.|alt=|left The genital tissues are greatly influenced by natural fluctuations in
hormone levels, which lead to changes in labia size, appearance, and elasticity at various life stages. At birth, the labia minora are well-developed, and the labia majora appear plump due to being exposed to maternal hormones in the womb. The labia majora have the same color as the surrounding skin.
Labial adhesions can occur between the ages of 3 months and 2 years, and may make the vulva look flat. These adhesions are not usually a cause for concern, and usually disappear without treatment. Treatment options may include estrogen cream, manual separation with local anesthesia, or surgical separation under sedation. During early childhood, the labia majora look flat and smooth because of decreasing levels of body fat, and the diminished effects of maternal hormones. The labia minora become less prominent. During
puberty, increased hormone levels often significantly change the appearance of the labia. The labia minora become more elastic, prominent, and wrinkled. The labia majora regain fat, and begin growing pubic hair close to the pudendal cleft. Hair is initially sparse and straight, but gradually becomes darker, denser, and curlier as growth spreads outward and upward toward the thighs and mons pubis. At the end of puberty, pubic hair will be coarse, curly, and fairly thick. The patch of pubic hair covering the genitals will eventually often form a triangle shape. By adulthood, the outer surface of the labia majora may be darker than the surrounding skin, and may have wrinkles. During the reproductive years, if a woman delivers a child, the fourchette will flatten. Pregnancy may cause the labia minora to darken in color. Later in life, the labia majora once again gradually lose fat, becoming flatter and more wrinkled, and pubic hair turns grey. Following menopause, falling hormone levels cause further changes to the labia. The labia minora atrophy, making them become less elastic, and pubic hair on the labia majora becomes more sparse. ==Sexual arousal and response==