Asymmetry in the labia is not necessarily a cause for concern. One inner lip may be longer than the other. They may dangle below the outer lips or otherwise be prominent. It is typical for the inner lips, or labia minora, to be visible. If the outer lips are short, they may not meet and may expose the inner lips more prominently. In others, the outer lips may curve and meet at the ends, exposing some of the inner lips above. Some people have outer lips that hide the inner lips and clitoris almost entirely. The outer lips are usually relatively smooth and do not fold as much as the inner lips. The lips may hang low, and the skin may seem thin, or they may be thick and puffy. The outer lips of the vulva, or the labia majora, are longer in some people.
Taking this variety into account, some common characteristics of the vulva include: Outer lips
It is rare for any variation in this shape or size to be a cause for concern.
These are folds of skin that surround the vaginal opening and the urethral opening.ĭepending on the size and shape of the external structures, the appearance of the vulva can vary widely. The vulva includes many structures, such as the labia majora and labia minora, or inner and outer lips. The proper term for this area is the vulva. When people refer to the vagina, they usually mean the visible, external part of the genitals.
