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Labia majora
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==Function and structure== The main function of the labia majora is to cover and protect the other parts of the vulva.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kinsey|first=Brian|title=Human Body From A to Z|publisher =Marshall Cavendish Reference|year = 2011|page=465|access-date = September 29, 2023 |isbn= 978-0-76149-976-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jhlfEAAAQBAJ}}</ref> The labia majora contain the [[labia minora]], [[Labia#Structure|interlabial sulci]], [[clitoral hood]], [[Clitoris#Glans|clitoral glans]], [[Clitoris#Frenulum|frenulum clitoridis]], the [[Hart's Line]], and the [[vulval vestibule]], where the external openings of the [[urethra]] and the [[vagina]] are located. Each labium majus has two surfaces, an outer, pigmented and covered with strong, [[pubic hair]]; and an inner, smooth and beset with large [[sebaceous]] follicles. The labia majora are covered with [[Squamous epithelial cell|squamous epithelium]]. Between the two, there is a considerable quantity of [[areolar]] tissue and [[Adipose tissue|fat]], besides vessels, [[nerves]], and [[glands]]. Below the skin of the labia majora, there is a tissue called the ''dartos muliebris'', which gives them a wrinkled appearance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fahmy|first=Mohamed A. Baky|title=Normal and Abnormal Scrotum|publisher =Springer International Publishing|year = 2021|page=69|access-date = December 29, 2023 |isbn= 978-3-03083-305-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hElSEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA69}}</ref> ===Pudendal cleft=== [[File:Vulva - front view.png|thumb|Front view of the vulva. Pudendal cleft at 3.]] The labia majora constitute the lateral boundaries of the '''pudendal cleft'''. The pudendal cleft, also known as the '''vulvar cleft''' or '''cleft of Venus''' ('''''rima vulvae''''' or '''''rima pudendi''''' in Latin),<ref>{{cite book|last=Gould| first=George M.|title=Gould's Pocket Pronouncing Medical Dictionary|editor=Brownslow, C. V|publisher=P. Blakinston's Son & C., Inc. |year=1936|edition=10}}</ref> is a vertical fissure between the labia majora starting at the basal point of the [[mons pubis]]. After puberty, the clitoral hood and the labia minora can protrude into the pudendal cleft to a variable degree.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hennekam |first1=RC |last2=Allanson |first2=JE |last3=Biesecker |first3=LG |last4=Carey |first4=JC |last5=Opitz |first5=JM |last6=Vilain |first6=E |title=Elements of morphology: standard terminology for the external genitalia. |journal=American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A |date=June 2013 |volume=161A |issue=6 |pages=1238β63 |doi=10.1002/ajmg.a.35934 |pmid=23650202|pmc=4440541 }}</ref> ===Commissures=== [[File:Labia commissures.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A) anterior commissure, B) [[Frenulum of labia minora|fourchette]], C) posterior commissure]] The labia majora are thicker in front, and form the '''anterior labial commissure''' where they meet below the [[mons pubis]]. Posteriorly, they are not really joined, but appear to become lost in the neighboring integument, ending close to, and nearly parallel to, each other. Together with the connecting skin between them, they form another [[commissure]], the '''posterior labial commissure''', which is also the posterior boundary of the vulva. The interval between the posterior commissure and the [[Human anus|anus]], from 2.5 to 3 cm in length, constitutes the [[perineum]].<ref>{{Gray's|page=1265|inline=1}}</ref> The anterior region of the perineum is known as the [[urogenital triangle]], which separates it from the anal region. Between the labia majora and the inner [[thigh]]s are the '''labiocrural folds'''. Between the labia majora and labia minora are the interlabial sulci. Labia majora [[atrophy]] after [[menopause]].
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