Labial Anomalies

Abstract

In girls, the unfused parts of the labioscrotal (genital) swellings give rise to the labia majora; the folds fuse anteriorly to form the mons pubis and anterior labial commissure and posteriorly the posterior labial commissure. Hypertrophy of the labia minora is defined as a protuberant labial tissue that extends beyond the labia majora. Labial hypertrophy may simply be a normal variant; additionally, asymmetry of the female genitalia is a natural occurrence, thus making a clear distinction between normal and abnormal anatomy is challenging.

Labial fusion refers to partial or complete adherence of the labia minora; rarely, the labial fusion is so nearly complete as to make the girl have no vaginal orifice or misdiagnosed as a case of intersex; also, it may cause urinary outflow obstruction with resultant bladder distention or even hydronephrosis.

An ectopic labium is an extremely rare condition homologous to an ectopic scrotum in the male, which is a well-characterized congenital abnormality but only recorded as a case report.

Labial cysts may be a mucous, epidermal inclusion cyst, Bartholin’s duct cyst, Gartner duct cyst, or hydrocele of canal of Nuck.

Bartholin’s cyst is usually single, oval in shape, unilateral, located in the lower half of the labia minora, gradually increased in size, and if punctured, mucus or serous fluid could be seen; the cyst may be clear, yellow, or blue, and if infection is superposed, an abscess may be formed.

Gartner’s duct is a potential embryological remnant in human female development of the mesonephric ducts in the development of the urinary and reproductive organs. It was discovered and described in 1822 by Hermann Treschow Gartner.