One labia major and one minor

The labia are located in the female private part and are part of the female reproductive organ. The labia are divided into labia majora and labia minora, which are large and small. They are located at the outer end of the reproductive organ and play a protective role on the reproductive system. The functions of the labia majora and labia minora are different. The labia minora are rich in blood vessels and nerves, so this area is particularly sensitive. When sexually excited, the labia minora will become congested and turn pink. Let's take a closer look.

The labia minora is located on the inner side of the labia majora and is also divided into two parts. It is the second gateway to protect the vagina and urethra. The labia minora are not obvious during childhood, but begin to enlarge during puberty. The labia minora is smooth and moist inside and out, and is rich in nerve endings, making it one of the sexually sensitive areas. When sexually excited, the labia minora become engorged and swollen, and their volume can increase two to three times, which can increase the effective length of the vagina by more than one centimeter.

The labia majora are a pair of oblong raised skin folds on both sides of the vulva, close to the inner sides of the thighs. It is connected to the mons pubis in front and the perineum in the back; it stretches downward and backward from the mons pubis. The left and right labia majora in front unite at the mons pubis to form the anterior commissure, and the two ends in the back unite below the labia frenulum to form the posterior commissure, which is located in front of the anus. There is pubic hair outside the labia majora. Subcutaneous tissue is thicker, loose adipose tissue, elastic fibers and venous plexus, which are prone to hematoma after injury. The skin on the outer side is pigmented and has pubic hair; the inner side is light pink, similar to a mucous membrane, and has no pubic hair. During a girl's childhood, the two labia majora are tightly closed with a slight gap in the middle. After puberty begins, pubic hair begins to grow on the outside of the labia majora, while the inside becomes smooth and moist. After entering puberty, small raised spots will grow on the inner side of the labia, which are oil glands. These glands secrete oil to keep the area lubricated. The labia majora of unmarried adult women and obese women close naturally, covering the labia minora, vaginal opening and urethral opening. The labia majora of multiparous women spread apart due to the impact of childbirth. There are great individual differences in the labia majora, some are fat and thick, while others are small and thin.

The labia minora are a pair of longitudinal skin and mucosal folds located between the labia majora on both sides. The labia minora are soft, have no subcutaneous fat, are rich in sebaceous glands and sweat glands, and have a moist, smooth and hairless surface. There is a rich distribution of nerves under the mucosa, so the sensitivity is very keen. The labia minora are thin, and their size and shape vary greatly from person to person. Some are not symmetrical, one side is bigger than the other side, which is normal. In unmarried and married women who have not given birth, the labia minora are closed, which plays a role in protecting the vagina and internal reproductive organs and is part of the female natural defense function.

The labia majora cover the labia minora, vaginal opening and urethral opening. When there is sexual desire, the labia majora open, the covered part is exposed, and even the vaginal opening is exposed. Regardless of whether they are nulliparous or multiparous, after they enter the sexual excitement period, their labia minora will become engorged and swollen, and their diameter will expand significantly, increasing to 2-3 times during the plateau phase. As its diameter increases, it protrudes from the protective labia majora barrier, which will extend the effective length of the vaginal canal during sexual intercourse by at least 1 cm and help open the vaginal opening. Once the diameter increases, the labia minora are prepared for their most unique female sexual physiological response: color change. During the plateau phase, the labia minora of almost all women will show a bright color reaction. In nulliparous women, the red color changes from pink to bright red and spreads around the external opening of the vagina, including the clitoral hood. The color of the breast changes from bright red to dark purple in multiparous women. During the resolution phase, the color of the labia minora quickly (within 10-15 seconds) fades from dark or bright red to light pink. The second phase of color loss (full return to the unstimulated color) is also rapid, but far less erratic.