pudendum

[ pyoo-den-duhm ]

noun

, plural pu·den·da [pyoo-, den, -d, uh].

1. Usually pudenda. Anatomy. the external genital organs, especially the vulva.

pudendum

/ pjuːˈdɛndəm; ˈpjuːdɪk /

noun

1. often plural the human external genital organs collectively, esp of a female

Sensitive Note

When pudendum first appeared in English in the 14th century, the term applied to all genitalia. But over time the term was used almost exclusively to mean the vulva. Some now find the term objectionable, as it is derived from the Latin verb “to be ashamed,” and therefore can project a negative image of human, and specifically female, sexuality. As a result, in 2019 it was announced that pudendum would be dropped from the next edition of the official international lexicon of anatomical terms Terminologia Anatomica. This likely means that use of the term, especially in scientific and medical contexts, will no longer be acceptable.

Derived Forms

• puˈdendal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pudendum¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin, special use of neuter of Latin pudendus, gerundive of pudēre “to be ashamed”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pudendum¹

C17: from Late Latin, from Latin pudenda the shameful (parts), from pudēre to be ashamed

Example Sentences

But 60 years later, only the “pudendum femininum” — the female shame part — was still listed.

From New York Times

Such as a painting that features a field of battling pudenda in screaming shades of crimson red, blue and orange under the word “GASLIGHTING” rendered with fluorescent yellow paint in all caps.

From Los Angeles Times

There he is: a small, intense, grinning man, celebrating with clenched fists as the head of Ray Wilkins rises from his groin like a miraculous, frowning pudendum.

From The Guardian

She points out that the medical term "pudenda" which describes the outside of the vulva, comes from the Latin "pudet", which means "it shames".

From BBC

The pose is taken from “Olympia,” by Manet, who had borrowed it from Titian’s “Venus of Urbino,” but Stettheimer’s left hand, instead of resting on her pudendum, brandishes a bouquet of flowers.

From The New Yorker