[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 minora [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Labia minora The labia minora are the two thin inner folds of the vulva; they border the vestibule and protect the urethral and vaginal openings. Official name: Labium minus of vulva [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=labia_minora&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Two thin inner folds without fat, which join in front around the clitoris (its hood) and behind at the fourchette. Their size and shape vary widely. ## What it does Border the vestibule and protect the urethral and vaginal openings. ## Key points - Homologue of the [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) on the underside of the penis: in the male the same urethral folds fuse to close the [spongy urethra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spongy-urethra/) - Labial adhesions (fusion of the labia minora) occur in young girls with low oestrogen and can cover much of the vestibule - Female genital mutilation/cutting type II removes part or all of the clitoral glans and the labia minora, with or without the labia majora ## Key facts **Where** Thin hairless skin folds inside the labia majora; join in front as the prepuce and frenulum of the clitoris, behind as the frenulum of the labia (fourchette) **Function** Bound the vestibule; rich in sebaceous glands and nerve endings; size and shape vary widely (normal) ## Relations **Lateral** The [labia majora](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-majus-of-vulva/), separated by the interlabial groove **Medial** The vestibule with the urethral and vaginal orifices; the Bartholin ducts open in the groove between them and the hymen **In front** The glans of the [clitoris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/clitoris/), wrapped by their prepuce and frenulum **Behind** The fourchette (frenulum of the labia), in front of the [perineal body](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/perineal-body/) **Deep** The vestibular bulbs and the [bulbospongiosus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbospongiosus-muscle/) ## How to find it Seen on parting the labia majora. On their inner surface a fine border (Hart's line) marks where their skin meets the moist lining of the vestibule. ## On imaging Rarely imaged: labial adhesions, enlargement and surface lesions are diagnosed by inspection and biopsy. MRI (axial and coronal T2) maps the vulva when the extent of a tumour, an abscess or a congenital anomaly must be known. Ultrasound shows a fluid collection or a foreign body. ## 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 - The fourchette is a frequent site of superficial (first-degree) tears in vaginal birth - Lichen sclerosus and other scarring conditions can shrink them and fuse them over the clitoris, changing the anatomy seen at examination - Asymmetry and protrusion beyond the labia majora are common normal findings and are not by themselves a sign of disease ## Development Forms from the urethral (urogenital) folds, which stay separate in the female. ## Related conditions - [Vulvovaginal candidiasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/vulvovaginal-candidiasis/) - [Syphilis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/syphilis/) - [Sexual violence (care of the survivor)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sexual-violence/) - [Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (atrophic vaginitis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause/) - [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. ## What is the male homologue of the labia minora? The skin on the underside of the penis; the same urethral folds fuse in the male to close the spongy urethra. ## In whom do labial adhesions of the labia minora typically occur? Young girls with low oestrogen; the fusion can cover much of the vestibule. ## Is asymmetry or protrusion of the labia minora beyond the labia majora a sign of disease? No; both are common normal findings and are not by themselves a sign of disease. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/labium-minus-of-vulva/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** labium minus vulvae; preputium clitoridis; frenulum labiorum vulvae TA2 3553 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Labio menor de la vulva DeCS D014844 **English (TA2)** Labium minus of vulva **Also called** fourchette · labium minus pudendi ## Related - [Vestibule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vestibule-of-vagina/) - [Labia majora](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-majus-of-vulva/) - [Clitoris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/clitoris/) - [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-minus-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-minus-of-vulva/