Female reproductive organs enjoy a variety of euphemisms: va-jay-jay, vajeen, lady parts, cooter, cooka, pussy. There are literally hundreds of these terms to describe this body part. Comparatively you will find a mere handful to describe one’s thumb, maybe because the thumb does not have the mystique or notoriety that the vulva and vagina have. Just what is the appropriate term for female reproductive parts, ‘vulva’ or ‘vagina’?
The term ‘vagina’ is widely used and accepted as the appropriate term. The vagina is a 4.8- 6.4cm canal that connects the vulva to the cervix, then the cervix to the uterus. It’s a tubular, muscular, fleshy highway from the opening to the uterus, a path for sperm to travel in hopes of fertilizing an egg. It’s where a penis enters for intercourse between someone with a penis and a vagina. It is also the first canal we all traveled to get here today, unless you were a test-tubular pregnancy or birthed via caesarean section.
The vulva is the external part of the female reproductive organs, the covering to the portal to another dimension, where life comes from. It includes the clitoris, vestibular bulbs, vulval vestibule, labia minora, labia majora, urinary meatus, hymen, pubic mound, external opening of the urethra, and vagina.
These days everyone is talking science — “follow the science,” “believe the science” — while simultaneously using incorrect terms. ‘Vagina’ has reigned supreme as the term to use when describing female reproductive parts for many years. Is it because it’s the portal we all traveled to get here, or is it because it is the place that provides heterosexual males the most pleasure? Whatever the reason, it’s important that we know these parts and use correct terminology when talking about sexual health.
Now for some clitoracy. Ladies/people with female reproductive parts, if you are not orgasming with intercourse, you need more clitoral stimulation. It’s fun and will add to your sex life. As women/people with female reproductive genitalia are getting aroused, we become wet and moist in our vulva and vagina. This is not an orgasm. It’s how these parts naturally lubricate during arousal, heavy petting and foreplay.
Let’s look at the vulva parts, shall we?
The clitoris, human females’ most-erogenous zone, is at the front of the labia minora, above the urethra. In humans its only known function is sexual pleasure.
The labia majora are equivalent to the male scrotum, a pair of rounded adipose tissue and skin that cover and protect the inner, more delicate structures of the vulva.
The labia minora are two smaller flaps of adipose tissue, found below the majora and protecting the clitoris, urinary orifice, and vaginal orifice.
The vestibular bulbs are two elongated muscles on either side of the vaginal orifice. They cause the contractions experienced with orgasm.
The vulval vestibule is the body cavity that creates space in the labia minora, providing an opening into the vagina and by extension the urethra.
The urinary meatus is the external urethral orifice, the opening of the urethra.
The hymen is a thin mucosal tissue covering and surrounding the vaginal opening.
The pubic mound is the front part of the vulva, a mass of fatty tissue that covers the pubic symphysis or the pubic bones. In Latin it’s the mons pubis.
To understand how these parts look anatomically, you can view an anatomy book or search online for these folds and parts.
Now that we have differentiated between the vulva and vagina, what do you think the appropriate term is for female reproductive parts, vulva or vagina? Do you even care? I’m not expecting anyone to correct others when using terms or make it a topic of discussion at happy hour this week. My goal is to help educate and let you to decide what terms you want to use.
Love your parts, whatever parts you have. Protect them, clean them, and get them checked.
This is Hedda Fay reminding you to love yourself, use protection and learn about your parts and what feels good to you. Touch yourself — it’s okay, I haven’t turned into a pillar of salt and blown away yet!
Hedda Fay, the Community Outreach and Program Manager of Northland Cares, answers your questions about sex and sexual health.
