human anatomy Human anatomy (gr. ἀνατομία, "dissection", from ἀνά, "up", and τέμνειν, "cut") is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross ...

, and in mammals in general, the ''mons pubis'' or pubic mound (also known simply as the mons , and known specifically in females as the ''mons Venus'' or ''mons veneris'') is a rounded mass of fatty tissue found over the pubic symphysis of the pubic bones.

Structure

For females, the ''mons pubis'' forms the anterior and superior portion of the

vulva In mammals, the vulva (: vulvas or vulvae) comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female sex organ, genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, lab ...

. It divides into the labia majora (literally "larger lips"), on either side of the furrow known as the ''pudendal cleft'' that surrounds the rest of the vulvar parts: labia minora,

clitoris In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...

, urinary meatus, vaginal opening, and vulval vestibule. Although present in both men and women, the ''mons pubis'' tends to be larger in women. Its fatty tissue is sensitive to

estrogen Estrogen (also spelled oestrogen in British English; see spelling differences) is a category of sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three ...

, causing a distinct mound to form with the onset of female

puberty Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction. It is initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads: the ovaries in a female, the testicles i ...

. This pushes the forward portion of the labia majora out and away from the pubic bone. The mound also becomes covered with

pubic hair Pubic hair (or pubes , ) is terminal hair, terminal body hair that is found in the sex organ, genital area and pubic region of adolescent and adult humans. The hair is located on and around the sex organs, and sometimes at the top of the inside ...

. It often becomes less prominent with the decrease in bodily estrogen experienced during

menopause Menopause, also known as the climacteric, is the time when Menstruation, menstrual periods permanently stop, marking the end of the Human reproduction, reproductive stage for the female human. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 5 ...

Etymology

The term ''mons pubis'' is derived from Latin for "pubic mound". The more specifically female ''mons Venus'' or ''mons veneris'' is derived from Latin for "mound of

Venus Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is often called Earth's "twin" or "sister" planet for having almost the same size and mass, and the closest orbit to Earth's. While both are rocky planets, Venus has an atmosphere much thicker ...

Society and culture

Although not part of external genitalia itself, the pubic mound can be regarded as an

erogenous zone An erogenous zone (from Greek , ''érōs'' "love"; and English ''-genous'' "producing", from Greek , ''-genḗs'' "born") is an area of the human body that has heightened Sensory processing, sensitivity, the sexual stimulation, stimulation of wh ...

and is highly eroticized in many cultures. Throughout history, the complete or partial removal of pubic hair has been common in many societies, and more recently it has become widespread in the Western world. The removal of all pubic hair has become common practice in the past decade primarily due to societal pressures and personal preferences. There are several popular removal methods including shaving and waxing, such as a Brazilian wax. In some circumstances, the mons veneris is subjected to aesthetic ideals beyond hair removal. Correspondingly, plastic surgery is offered, which alters the shape of the mons to a desired ideal. Desired ideals may be influenced by personal preferences, current cultural norms, or societal pressures. Permanent forms of decoration to enhance the aesthetic appeal of this area are ''hanabira'' (the application of cosmetic scars) or piercings such as the Christina piercing or the Nefertiti piercing. Vajazzling refers to the non-permanent decoration of the ''mons pubis'' with crystal ornaments. Genital tattooing is also common in this area using traditional ink as well as temporary henna designs or mehndi. Although it is usually illegal to expose the ''mons pubis'' in public, there are some garments that expose it. For example, in 1985, four weeks before his death, Rudi Gernreich unveiled the pubikini, a topless bathing suit that exposed the wearer's ''mons pubis'' and

.Elizabeth Gunther Stewart, Paula Spencer and Dawn Danby, ''The V Book'', page 104, Bantam Books, 2002, It was a thin, V-shaped, thong-style bottom that in the front featured a tiny strip of fabric. The pubikini was described as a '' pièce de résistance'' totally freeing the human body.Catalog adds options for overweight girls
''Denver Post'', 1992-01-02

Gallery

File:Pubic hair partly shaved genitalia.JPG, A ''mons pubis'' of a male with

partly removed.

References

Bibliography

*Sloane, Ethel.
Biology of Women
'. Cengage Learning 2002, , p. 31 * Gray, Henry:
Anatomy of the Human Body
'. Lea & Febiger, 1918
Mons pubis
in ''Encyclopædia Britannica Online''. 2010.

External links

* {{Authority control Pelvis Sexual anatomy Vulva