The lips are part of the vulva, but the vulva is more than just the lips. The vulva is the entire external genital area, and the lips (called the labia) are one of several structures within it. Knowing what the vulva actually includes helps you understand your own anatomy and take better care of it.
What the Vulva Includes
The vulva refers to everything you can see on the outside of the body between your legs. It’s the whole external genital region. The labia are the most visible part, which is likely why people sometimes use “vulva” and “lips” interchangeably, but the vulva also contains the clitoris, the urethral opening (where urine exits), the vaginal opening, and a central area called the vestibule that sits between the inner lips.
The vaginal opening is located inside the vulva, but the vagina itself is a separate structure. The vagina is a muscular canal that extends inside the body. Where the vulva ends and the vagina begins is right at that opening, which sits just below the urethral opening.
The Two Sets of Lips
There are actually two pairs of lips. The outer lips (labia majora) are the fleshy folds you can see when your legs are together. They’re covered in skin and, after puberty, pubic hair. The inner lips (labia minora) are thinner folds of tissue that sit just inside the outer lips and surround the vaginal and urethral openings.
Inner lips vary enormously from person to person. In some people they’re tucked neatly inside the outer lips; in others they extend beyond them. Both are completely normal. They can also differ in color, thickness, and symmetry. One side being longer than the other is common and not a medical concern.
Other Structures Within the Vulva
The clitoris sits at the top of the vulva where the inner lips meet. Most of the clitoris is actually internal, but the small visible portion (the glans) is located under a hood of tissue. It’s densely packed with nerve endings and plays a central role in sexual pleasure.
The vestibule is the smooth area between the inner lips. It’s triangular in shape and contains several important openings and glands. The urethral opening sits here, as do the openings of the Bartholin’s glands, which produce small amounts of fluid for lubrication. The vestibule also contains minor glands and is richly supplied with nerve fibers, which is why this area can be particularly sensitive.
Why People Confuse “Vulva” and “Vagina”
In everyday language, many people say “vagina” when they actually mean “vulva.” The vagina is the internal canal. The vulva is everything external. This mix-up matters because it can create confusion around hygiene, symptoms, and health. If you’re experiencing itching, irritation, or a skin change on the outside, that’s a vulvar issue, not a vaginal one, and the care approach differs.
Caring for the Vulva
The vulva and vagina have different care needs. The vagina is self-cleaning and doesn’t need any products inside it. The vulva, being external skin, does need gentle cleaning, but the emphasis is on gentle. Mayo Clinic guidelines recommend washing the vulva with warm water only, no soap.
A surprisingly long list of products can irritate vulvar skin: scented pads and tampons, bubble bath, fragrances, fabric softeners, lubricants, sprays, and even shampoo that runs down during a shower. Douching is also on the list of things to avoid. For underwear, cotton is the best material, ideally with a looser fit. Sleeping without underwear or in loose clothing gives the area a chance to breathe.
Symptoms worth paying attention to include redness, persistent itching, burning, pain, ulcers, or any new masses or bumps. Changes in vaginal discharge, particularly shifts in color, smell, or amount, can also signal something that needs evaluation. These symptoms don’t always mean something serious, but they’re worth getting checked.
A Note on the Terminology
The nerve that supplies sensation to the vulva and vagina is called the pudendal nerve. Unusually for a medical term, its name comes from the Latin word meaning “to be ashamed.” It’s the only anatomical term in the body that carries a moral judgment. That history may partly explain why there’s been so much cultural discomfort around naming and discussing this part of the body accurately. Using the correct terms, like vulva and labia, helps normalize basic anatomy and makes it easier to communicate clearly about health concerns.