vulva

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vulva" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical, educational, or anatomical contexts when discussing female anatomy. Example: "The vulva is an important part of the female reproductive system and includes several structures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The neural pathways that connect a woman's clitoris, vulva and vagina to the spinal cord and from there to the brain are unique to every woman.

The Economist

This means that women receive pleasure in different ways, despite what has been a long history of shame-inducing theories about what part of the vagina should deliver orgasm (the vulva, said Freud; the clitoris, said 1970s feminists).The fashion today is to shore up most theories of human behaviour with a bit of neuroscience, and Ms Wolf obliges.

The Economist

As with many other aspects of child-rearing, birth will come down to parental disposition whether for a hospital's bright lights and plentiful pain relief, or for the familiar comforts of home.Correction: An episiotomy is a cut in the perineum, not the vulva as we originally wrote.

The Economist

Differentiation also occurs in the primitive external genitalia, which in males become the penis and scrotum and in females the vulva (the clitoris, labia, and vestibule of the vagina).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Acute hydramnios causes abdominal pain, severe difficulty in breathing, and edema in the legs, the vulva (external female genital organs), and the lower part of the abdomen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As estrus approaches, she develops large cushionlike swellings incorporating the vulva, perineum, and anus; these make her attractive to the males, which then compete to consort with her.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The clinical manifestations of excess androgen production in utero that affect newborn genetic females include an enlarged clitoris, which may be mistaken for a penis; an enlarged vulva, which resembles a bilobed scrotum; and partial or complete fusion of the labia majora, with the opening of the urethra at the base of the clitoris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Vulva, plural Vulvae, the external female genitalia that surround the opening to the vagina; collectively these consist of the labia majora, the labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina, bulb of the vestibule, and the glands of Bartholin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unable as a male to give birth, he fell fatally ill, until Ninhursag relented and as birth goddess placed him in her vulva and helped him to give birth to seven daughters, whom Enki then happily married off to various gods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The body of the clitoris is suspended from the pubic bone by a short ligament and emerges to form a tiny external glans at the top of the vulva.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The World Health Organization classifies four categories of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)- clitiroidectomy; excision (of considerable variation of female genital tissue); infibulation (excising the clitoris and labia and stitching together the edges of the vulva to prevent sexual intercourse) and finally mutilation beyond even these classifications.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sexual health or anatomy, use the term "vulva" to refer specifically to the external female genitalia, ensuring clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Don't use "vagina" when you mean "vulva". The "vulva" refers to the external parts, while the vagina is an internal canal.

Linguistic Context

The noun "vulva" functions as a specific anatomical term, referring to the external female genitalia. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable term. Examples show its use in both medical and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

47%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vulva" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that specifically denotes the external female genitalia. As Ludwig AI affirms, it's a correct and usable term in written English. While its usage is most common in encyclopedias and news & media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for medical, educational, and general contexts. Remember to use "vulva" to describe the external female genitalia and avoid confusing it with "vagina", which refers to the internal canal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

female genitalia

Replaces the specific anatomical term with a more general term for the external female reproductive organs.

pudendum

Offers a formal, anatomical synonym for the external female genitalia.

external female genitals

Provides a descriptive and explicit term for the external female reproductive organs.

female external reproductive organs

Offers a more comprehensive and descriptive term.

mons pubis

Refers to a specific part of the vulva, the fleshy area above the clitoris.

labia majora

Refers to the outer lips of the vulva.

labia minora

Refers to the inner lips of the vulva.

clitoris

Refers to a specific part of the vulva and primary center for sexual sensation.

vestibule of the vagina

Refers to the area surrounding the opening of the vagina, part of the vulva.

urogenital region

Encompasses both the urinary and genital openings, a broader anatomical area.

FAQs

What does the word "vulva" refer to?

The "vulva" refers to the external female genitalia, including the labia, clitoris, and other external structures, as opposed to the vagina, which is an internal canal.

Is it appropriate to use the word "vulva" in medical writing?

Yes, "vulva" is the correct and appropriate anatomical term to use in medical and educational contexts when referring to the external female genitalia.

What are some alternative terms for "vulva"?

While "vulva" is the most accurate term, "female genitalia" or "pudendum" can be used in some contexts, though they are more general or formal, respectively.

How do I correctly use "vulva" in a sentence?

Use "vulva" when specifically referring to the external female reproductive organs, for example, "The doctor examined the patient's "vulva" for any signs of irritation."