[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Labia majora [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Labia majora The labia majora are the two outer folds of [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) and fat of the vulva; they cover and protect the inner structures. Official name: Labium majus of vulva [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=labia_majora&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Two outer folds of skin and fat on either side of the vulva. ## What it does Cover and protect the inner structures; their lymph drains to the groin nodes. ## Key points - The round ligament of the uterus ends in its fat after crossing the [inguinal canal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-canal/), so an indirect inguinal hernia or a cyst of the canal of Nuck shows as a labial swelling - Vulvar cancer spreads first to the [superficial inguinal nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-inguinal-nodes/); lesions near the midline can drain to both sides - Nerves: front by the ilioinguinal nerve, back by the [pudendal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pudendal-nerve/), so a pudendal block alone leaves the front of the labium sensitive ## Key facts **Where** Two folds of skin and fat from the mons pubis back toward the perineum, either side of the pudendal cleft **Function** Protect the vestibule; receive the end of the round ligament; homologue of the [scrotum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scrotum/); nerves: anterior labial (ilioinguinal) and posterior labial (pudendal); lymph to superficial inguinal nodes ## Relations **Medial** The [labia minora](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-minus-of-vulva/), separated by the interlabial groove **In front** The mons pubis, where the two folds meet at the [anterior commissure](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-commissure/) **Behind** The posterior commissure, in front of the [perineal body](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/perineal-body/) and the anus **Lateral** The fold between the vulva and the medial thigh **Deep** Fat continuous with that of the mons, the end of the round ligament of the uterus, the membranous layer of superficial fascia (Colles fascia), and deeper the [bulbospongiosus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbospongiosus-muscle/) over the vestibular bulb ## How to find it Visible as the outer folds of the vulva from the mons pubis back to the perineum. A hernia or a canal of Nuck cyst is felt in the upper part of the labium, continuous with the superficial inguinal ring; a Bartholin cyst sits in the lower part. ## On imaging Ultrasound is the first test for a labial swelling: it shows a hernia (bowel or fat entering on straining), a canal of Nuck cyst (a fluid sac running down from the superficial inguinal ring), a Bartholin cyst lower down, or an abscess. MRI stages large vulvar cancers and their deep spread; ultrasound, CT or PET-CT look for spread to the inguinal nodes. ## Common problems - Infections and skin conditions (e.g. lichen sclerosus). - Bartholin gland cysts and abscesses. - Vulvar pain (vulvodynia). - Vulvar cancer (rare, mostly in older women). ## How it is diagnosed Careful examination; swabs or a small skin biopsy when needed. ## Treatment - Depends on the cause: medicines, creams, drainage of an abscess, surgery for cancer. ## Clinical notes - After a straddle injury or a birth, blood collects easily in its loose fat; the attachments of Colles fascia stop it spreading back into the anal triangle or down the thighs - Hair-bearing skin with sweat and sebaceous glands: a common site of folliculitis, epidermoid cysts and hidradenitis suppurativa - Female genital mutilation/cutting type III (infibulation) narrows the vaginal opening by cutting and joining the labia minora and/or majora; it obstructs urine, menstrual flow and childbirth ## Development Forms from the labioscrotal swellings, which in the male fuse in the midline to form the scrotum. ## Related conditions - [Vulvovaginal candidiasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/vulvovaginal-candidiasis/) - [Diaper dermatitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diaper-dermatitis/) - [Chancroid](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/chancroid/) - [Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/granuloma-inguinale/) - [Vulvar lichen sclerosus and vulvar cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/vulvar-lichen-sclerosus-and-vulvar-cancer/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which structure ends in the fat of the labium majus, and what labial swellings does this explain? The round ligament of the uterus; an indirect inguinal hernia or a canal of Nuck cyst shows as a labial swelling. ## To which nodes does vulvar cancer of the labia majora spread first? The superficial inguinal nodes; lesions near the midline can drain to both sides. ## Why does a pudendal block alone leave the front of the labium majus sensitive? The front is supplied by the ilioinguinal nerve; only the back is supplied by the pudendal nerve. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/labium-majus-of-vulva/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** labium majus vulvae TA2 3549 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Labio mayor de la vulva DeCS D014844 **English (TA2)** Labium majus of vulva **Also called** labium majus pudendi ## Related - [Labia minora](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-minus-of-vulva/) - [Superficial inguinal nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-inguinal-nodes/) - [Round ligament of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/round-ligament-of-uterus/) - [Pudendal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pudendal-nerve/) - [Internal pudendal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-pudendal-artery/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=15245); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Female External Genitalia](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547703/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-majus-of-vulva/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-majus-of-vulva/