The
labia majora (singular: labium majus) are two prominent longitudinal cutaneous
folds which extend downward and backward from the mons pubis to the perineum
and form the lateral boundaries of the cleft of venus, which contains the labia
minora, interlabial sulci, clitoral hood, clitoral glans, frenulum clitoridis,
the Hart's Line, and the vulval vestibule, which contains the external openings
of the urethra and the vagina.
Each
labium majus has two surfaces, an outer, pigmented and covered with strong,
crisp hairs; and an inner, smooth and beset with large sebaceous follicles.
Between
the two there is a considerable quantity of areolar tissue, fat, and a tissue
resembling the dartos tunic of the scrotum, besides vessels, nerves, and
glands.
The
Labia Majora are thicker in front, where they form by their meeting the
anterior commisure of the labia majora.
Posteriorly
they are not really joined, but appear to become lost in the neighboring
integument, ending close to, and nearly parallel with, each other.
Together
with the connecting skin between them, they form the posterior commisure of the
labia majora or posterior boundary of the pudendum.
The interval
between the posterior commissure of the labia majora and the anus, from 2.5 to
3 cm. in length, constitutes the perineum.
The
labia majora correspond to the scrotum in the male.
Between
the labia majora and the inner thighs are the Labiocrural Folds.
Between
the labia majora and labia minora are the interlabial sulci.