Frenulum of labia minora
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| Frenulum of labia minora | |
|---|---|
 A vulva with the labia minora drawn apart and arrow pointing at the frenulum | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | frenulum labiorum pudendi |
| TA98 | A09.2.01.008 |
| TA2 | 3554 |
| FMA | 20404 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The frenulum of labia minora (fourchette or posterior commissure of the labia minora) is a
posteriorly
.
Pathology
The fourchette may be torn during
obstetricians and, less frequently, midwives may perform an episiotomy, which is a deliberate cut made in the perineum
starting from the fourchette and continuing back along the perineum toward the anus. Sometimes this surgical cut may extend to involve the perineal body and thus reduce anal sphincter function. Thus some obstetricians have opted to perform a posterior-lateral cut in the perineum to prevent this potential complication from occurring.
The fourchette may also be torn in acts of violence wherein forced entry occurs such as rape. When the fourchette is torn, the bleeding which ensues sometimes requires surgical suturing for containment.
Etymology
The fourchette is named with the French word for "fork" or "wishbone", owing to its shape. (See frenulum for its etymology.)
See also
- Clitoral frenulum
- Fourchette piercing
- Perineal tear classification
References
External links
Look up fourchette in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
The dictionary definition of fourchette at Wiktionary
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