Before We Begin
Talking about anatomy can be tricky. For example, it’s true that most of us have two eyes, two ears, a nose… But some of us don’t. And some of us have two eyes, but can only see out of one of them. Some of us have big noses, and some have little noses. Some of us have taken the body we were born with and changed it, either intentionally or unintentionally. When a trusted source (which is what I hope About.com is for you) starts describing the way your genitals look or feel, and they don’t look or feel that way to you, it’s easy to think there is something wrong with you. In many cases this just isn’t so. If the descriptions and information below don’t match what you feel and see in your own body, you may want to talk with your doctor about it. But it may be that your body looks and works a little bit different, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Take a Tour
Female genitals can be broken down into two categories. There are the external genitals, which are easier to see and touch, and there are the internal sexual and reproductive organs, which you might be able to feel on your own or not. The best way to learn about your body is to have a look, on your own, at a time and place where you have plenty of privacy. Not all of us can do this though. If you can, start by holding a mirror between your legs, spread your labia apart with your other hand, and have a look. If you are uncomfortable doing this, or physically can’t do it, you might be able to ask your doctor to use a mirror during a pelvic exam so you can see for yourself.
Vulva
When people talk about their vagina, usually they are really talking about their vulva. The vulva is the collective term for the most easily visible parts of external female genitals. It includes the mons pubis, both the outer and inner labia, the clitoral hood, the urethral opening and the vagina opening. There is a great variation in the overall appearance (including size, shape, and color) of women’s vulvas.
Mons Pubis
This area is also called the mons veneris (or mountain of venus) or sometimes just the pubic mound. It is the area of skin that lies above the pubic bone. It’s often rounded and there is a fatty pad of tissue under the skin. The mons is where most of your pubic hair grows (some hair will also grown on the outer labia). The mons is may be the least sensitive part of the vulva but many women will still enjoy the feeling of touching and massage or even vibration, as the stimulation can be felt throughout the area.
Labia
Coming down on either side from the mons are the labia. Labia is latin for “lips” and women have two sets of labia. The outer thicker labia, called labia majora, are what you see without spreading your legs wide open. They will likely have hair on them and can be smooth or a bit ridged. In between the labia majora are another set of skin folds called the labia minora ("little lips"). These are much thinner and more flexible than the labia majora. The inner labia are often longer or seem to stick out more than the outer labia. There is a wide natural variation in shape and size of labia. Both sets of labia have nerve endings(more are in the inner labia though), making them a potential site of sexual arousal and pleasure.
Clitoris & Internal Clitoral Body
The labia come together at the top into a little hood that covers the clitoris. The part of the clitoris which can be seen and felt (and until recently was thought to be the whole thing) sits under the top of the labia minora. In fact this is just the tip of the clitoris. It is often less than an inch long, but can be longer. It is made mainly of erectile tissue, which are spongy bodies that can fill up with blood, making it firmer and larger. What you won't be able to directly feel or see is that the clitoris extends into the body and down in two roots to either side of the vagina. This is referred to as the internal clitoral body and all of this can swell when sexually stimulated.
