Vulva Anatomy

Top-to-bottom landmark map

1. Clitoral hood and glans: near the top where the inner labia meet. The hood may cover the glans.
2. Urethral opening: a separate small opening below the clitoris through which urine leaves the body.
3. Vaginal opening: below the urethral opening and leading into the vaginal canal.

The spacing and visible shape differ among people. This order is a learning aid, not a demand that every vulva look identical.

Labia and the vestibule

The outer labia are the labia majora. The inner labia are the labia minora. The space enclosed by the inner labia is the vestibule, where the urethral and vaginal openings are found. The upper parts of the inner labia contribute to the clitoral hood.

Clinical descriptions from Cleveland Clinic, the Merck Manual, and NCBI Bookshelf use these distinctions.

Common mix-ups

The clitoris is not the urethral opening. The urethral opening is not the vaginal opening. The vulva is not the vagina. Learning those four distinctions makes the clitoris location guide easier to follow.

Normal labia can be uneven, folded, differently colored, or more or less prominent. Educational diagrams simplify these variations. For visual practice after reading, use the interactive clitoris quiz.

Frequently asked questions

Are the vulva and vagina the same thing?

No. The vulva is the external genital area. The vagina is the internal canal reached through the vaginal opening.

Is the urethral opening the vaginal opening?

No. The urethral opening is a separate opening for urine and usually sits above the vaginal opening.

Sources

• Cleveland Clinic: Vulva
• Merck Manual: Female External Genital Organs
• NCBI Bookshelf: Female External Genitalia

This page is adult anatomy education, not medical advice.