What is a vulva?

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Medical Terminology
• History of Medicine

Background:

• The definition and anatomical boundaries of the human vulva are inconsistently defined across various sources and international societies.
• This ambiguity in vulvar anatomy and terminology has negatively impacted scientific communication, research endeavors, and clinical healthcare practices.
• Persistent confusion regarding the specific gross anatomical structures constituting the vulva has a long historical precedent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive and critical analysis of the historical, current, and potential future understanding of vulvar anatomy.
• To examine and clarify inconsistencies in vulva-related anatomical terminology.
• To provide novel insights into the etymology and historical context of the term 'vulva' and related anatomical terms.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and critical analysis of historical and contemporary anatomical and clinical resources.
• Examination of etymological origins of anatomical terms related to the external genitalia.
• Identification and analysis of discrepancies and potential biases in anatomical descriptions and terminology.

Main Results:

• Significant and long-standing disagreement exists regarding the specific anatomical structures that constitute the vulva.
• Analysis revealed inconsistencies and potential sexual bias within anatomical terminology and major anatomical resources.
• Novel information on the etymology of 'vulva' and historical context of vulvar anatomy was uncovered.

Conclusions:

• The lack of a standardized definition for vulvar anatomy and associated terminology necessitates further clarification.
• Addressing the identified ambiguities and biases is crucial for improving scientific discourse and clinical practice related to female external genitalia.
• This review offers a foundation for future research and standardization efforts in vulvar anatomy and terminology.