Word
vulva
Phoneticsvul·va
US/ˈvʊɫvə/
UK/vˈʌlvɐ/
Definitions
01external female genitalia
n. the outer parts of the female reproductive system, including the labia and clitoris.
n. the external female genitalia of humans and other mammals, encompassing the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and the vestibule.
“The biology textbook included a detailed diagram of the vulva and internal organs.”
“Clinical examinations of the vulva are essential for identifying dermatological conditions that specifically affect the external genitalia.”
Technical
Usage
In precise medical and anatomical contexts, this term is distinct from the vagina, which is the internal canal.
Pitfall
The doctor examined the vagina's exterior.
The doctor examined the vulva.
In medical contexts, 'vagina' refers only to the internal canal; 'vulva' is the correct term for the external parts.
Synonyms
02nematode anatomy
n. a small opening or bump on the body of a tiny worm called a nematode.
n. a specialized protrusion or opening on the ventral side of a female nematode used for egg-laying and mating.
“Scientists studied how the vulva develops in the larvae of these small worms.”
“The development of the nematode vulva serves as a primary model for understanding cell signaling and organogenesis in developmental biology.”
Technical
Etymology
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).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/vulva