[L. vulva (volva), wrapper, uterus. Cf. It., Sp., Pg. vulva, F. vulve.]
1. Anat. The external organ of generation in the female; esp. the opening or orifice of that organ.
1548–77. Vicary, Anat., ix. (1888), 77. By it goeth forth the vrin, or els it should be shed through out al the Vulua.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, IV. xvi. (1631), 237. The last dissimilar part of the womb [is called] of some Vulva.
1694. Salmon, Bate’s Dispens. (1713), 708/1. Anoint the Vulva and Womb with this Mixture.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v.
1831. R. Knox, Cloquet’s Anat., 355. It is formed of two planes of fibres, which … are interlaced, between the anus and vulva.
1841. Ramsbotham, Obstetr. Med., 53. The whole of the external parts together, as well those that are lined by mucous membrane, as those covered by the common cuticle, are called the vulva.
1877. Huxley, Anat. Inv. Anim., vi. 274. Anteriorly, each pair of tubes opens into the oviduct of its side, which passes down along the side of the body to terminate at the vulva.
2. Conch., An impression behind the umbones of Venus-shells.
1840. Cuvier’s Anim. Kingd., 379. The ligament often leaves, behind the beaks, an elliptical impression, to which the term vulva has been applied.
Hence Vulval, Vulvar adjs., of or belonging to the vulva.
1859. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., V. 706/1. From the centre of the vulvar orifice to the end of the fornix.
1866. J. M. Sims, Uterine Surg., 328. The whole vulval or outer face of the hymen is sensitive.
1889. Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., VII. 694/1. Such irritation may lead to excoriation of the vulvar mucous membrane.
