labia minora

plural noun

la·​bia mi·​no·​ra ˈlā-bē-ə-mə-ˈnȯr-ə How to pronounce labia minora (audio)
: the inner highly vascular largely connective-tissue folds of the vulva bounding the vestibule

Examples of labia minora in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The dream allowed Freud to draw out the double meaning of nymphae, signifying both mythological sprites and also, evidently, the labia minora. Anna Shechtman, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 The vulva refers to the external genitalia, including the labia majora and labia minora, which are the inner and outer lips of the vulva, Dr. Bone explains. Women's Health, 26 June 2023 My labia minora were growing ahead of schedule. Madeleine Watts, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 The aesthetic ideal produced by these surgeries is that of an ‘innie’, where the labia minora (inner lips) are hidden by the labia majora (outer lips). Gina Tonic, refinery29.com, 25 Aug. 2021 Some people have labia minora smaller or bigger than that, which is also normal. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 13 Aug. 2021 The aesthetic ideal produced by this surgery is that of an ‘innie’, where the labia minora (inner lips) are hidden by the labia majora (outer lips). Gina Tonic, refinery29.com, 24 Aug. 2021 Some people’s labia minora extend past their labia majora and some don’t. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 13 Aug. 2021 The truth is, the labia majora (outer lips) and labia minora (inner lips) look different on all types of bodies. Rachel Jacoby Zoldan, Glamour, 4 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'labia minora.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, smaller lips

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of labia minora was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near labia minora

Cite this Entry

“Labia minora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labia%20minora. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

labia minora

noun plural
labia mi·​no·​ra -mə-ˈnōr-ə, -ˈnȯr- How to pronounce labia minora (audio)
: the inner highly vascular largely connective-tissue folds of the vulva bounding the vestibule

called also nymphae

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