The outer part of the female genitals is called the vulva. The vagina itself is the internal muscular canal that connects to the cervix, while everything you can see on the outside, including the lips, the clitoris, and the openings, belongs to the vulva. These two terms are frequently mixed up. In one study at a UK teaching hospital, only 9% of participants could correctly label all the structures of the external genitalia on a diagram.
What the Vulva Includes
The vulva is not a single structure. It’s a collection of parts that work together to protect the openings of the urethra and vagina, provide sensation, and cushion the pelvic bone. Here’s what makes up the vulva, from the outermost to the innermost structures.
The mons pubis is the soft, rounded pad of fatty tissue that sits over the pubic bone. It forms a triangular shape at the top of the genitals and is covered with pubic hair starting at puberty. It acts as a cushion, absorbing impact during sex.
The labia majora (outer lips) are two folds of skin that run downward from the mons pubis. Their outer surface is covered with pubic hair and pigmented skin, while the inner surface is smooth and hairless. These outer lips enclose and protect the more delicate structures inside. They contain erectile tissue that fills with blood during arousal, and they vary considerably in shape and size from person to person.
The labia minora (inner lips) are thinner, hairless folds of skin located just inside the outer lips. They’re rich in nerve endings and oil-producing glands. At the top, the inner lips split and merge to form the clitoral hood, a small fold of skin that covers and protects the clitoris. The inner lips extend downward past the vaginal opening toward the perineum. In some people they’re tucked inside the outer lips; in others they extend beyond them. Both are completely normal.
The clitoris is the primary source of sexual pleasure. The visible portion, called the glans, is roughly pea-sized and sits beneath the clitoral hood. It contains more than 10,000 nerve endings, more than any other structure in the human body. But the glans is just the tip. The rest of the clitoris extends internally, with paired bodies of erectile tissue that run along each side of the vaginal canal. The glans is the only external part; everything else is hidden beneath the surface.
What’s Inside the Vestibule
If you gently part the inner lips, the smooth area you see between them is called the vulvar vestibule. This is the entryway that contains two key openings. The urethral opening sits just below the clitoris. It’s small and can be difficult to spot. Below that is the vaginal opening, which is where the internal vagina meets the external body. The vagina itself is an elastic, muscular tube that extends inward to the cervix, but from the outside, only its opening is visible within the vestibule.
Why the Terminology Matters
People commonly use “vagina” to refer to everything between the legs, but that’s technically inaccurate. The vagina is internal. The vulva is external. This isn’t just a matter of semantics. Using the correct term helps you communicate clearly with healthcare providers, especially when describing symptoms like itching, pain, lumps, or skin changes. A problem on the vulvar skin is very different from a problem inside the vaginal canal, and the distinction can change how it’s evaluated and treated.
Two-thirds of women between ages 16 and 35 report difficulty using the words “vagina” and “vulva” correctly, with 40% resorting to euphemisms like “lady parts” when discussing gynecological concerns. That confusion can delay accurate diagnosis.
Vulvar Skin Is Different From Vaginal Tissue
The vulva and vagina don’t just look different. They have distinct biological environments. Vulvar skin has a pH of around 6, similar to other moist skin folds on the body. The vestibule, closer to the vaginal opening, has a lower pH of about 4.5, which matches the acidic environment inside the vagina. This pH gradient means the vulva doesn’t have one uniform chemistry, and products that work fine on regular skin may not be appropriate for the more sensitive vestibular area.
For daily care, clinical guidelines recommend washing the vulva once a day (twice at most) with a mild, pH-balanced cleanser. Perfumed soaps, bubble baths, hygiene sprays, and douches should be avoided. The vagina cleans itself through natural discharge, and douching can disrupt its microbiome, increasing the risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis.
Getting Familiar With Your Own Anatomy
Knowing what your vulva normally looks like makes it easier to notice when something changes. The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology recommends periodic vulvar self-examination, using a mirror and good lighting. You’re looking for any new or changing lumps, bumps, or sores, along with redness, swelling, unusual bleeding, changes in skin color or texture, or pain during the exam. Every vulva looks different, so the goal isn’t to compare yours to a standard. It’s to establish your own baseline so changes stand out.