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REFERENCE

vulva

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈvʊɫvə// UK //vˈʌlvɐ// vul·va

n. the external part of a female's genitalia. It includes the lips, clitoris, and the opening to the vagina.

n. the external female genitalia, consisting of the labia, clitoris, and the external opening of the vagina. Often used in medical or anatomical contexts to distinguish the external structures from the internal vagina.


SIMPLE

The vulva is the external part of the female genitalia.

CONTEXTUAL

During a routine health check, the doctor examined the vulva for any signs of irritation or infection.

COMPLEX

Anatomy textbooks often emphasize the distinction between the internal vagina and the external vulva, as they serve different physiological and protective functions within the reproductive system.

Origin

Learned borrowing from Latin vulva, earlier volva (“womb, female sexual organ”), probably from volvō (“to turn, wrap around”). Akin to Sanskrit उल्ब॑ (úlba) and उल्व॑ (úlva, “womb”) or English valve, valva and other descendants of the Latin term (evolve, involve, revolve).

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