title: Structure and innervation of the labia minora: more than minor skin folds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  : The objective of this study was to examine the histologic features of the labia minora, within the context of the female sexual response.
  
  
  METHODS
  : Eight cadaver vulvectomy specimens were used for this study. All specimens were embedded in paraffin and were serially sectioned. Selected sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, elastic Masson trichrome, and S-100 antibody stains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : The labia minora are thinly keratinized structures. The primary supporting tissue is collagen, with many vascular and neural elements structures throughout its core and elastin interspersed throughout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : The labia minora are specialized, highly vascular folds of tissue with an abundance of neural elements. These features corroborate previous functional and observational data that the labia minora engorge with arousal and have a role in the female sexual response.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and †Department of Pathology, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI.
authors.forename: Van A T
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Ginger
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Cold
authors.forename: Claire C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yang