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 Adipose tissue (also known as body fat or simply fat) is a loose connective tissue composed mostly of adipocytes. It also contains the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of cells including preadipocytes, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells and ...

found over the

pubic symphysis The pubic symphysis (: symphyses) is a secondary cartilaginous joint between the left and right superior rami of the pubis of the hip bones. It is in front of and below the urinary bladder. In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attache ...

of the

pubic bones In vertebrates, the pubis or pubic bone () forms the lower and anterior part of each side of the hip bone. The pubis is the most forward-facing (ventral and anterior) of the three bones that make up the hip bone. The left and right pubic bones ar ...

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 In primates, and specifically in humans, the labia majora (: labium majus), also known as the outer lips or outer labia, are two prominent Anatomical terms of location, longitudinal skin folds that extend downward and backward from the mons pubis ...

(literally "larger lips"), on either side of the furrow known as the ''pudendal cleft'' that surrounds the rest of the vulvar parts:

labia minora The labia minora (Latin for 'smaller lips', : labium minus), also known as the inner labia, inner lips, or nymphae, are two flaps of skin that are part of the primate vulva, extending outwards from the inner Vagina#Vaginal opening and hymen, vagi ...

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 The urinary meatus (, ; : meati or meatuses), also known as the external urethral orifice, is the opening of the penis or vulva where urine exits the urethra during urination. It is also where semen exits during male ejaculation, and other fluids ...

vaginal opening In mammals and other animals, the vagina (: vaginas or vaginae) is the elastic, muscular reproductive organ of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vulval vestibule to the cervix (neck of the uterus). The vaginal introit ...

, and

vulval vestibule The vulval vestibule (also known as the vulvar vestibule or vestibule of vagina) is the part of the vulva between the labia minora. At the innermost part are the vaginal introitus and urinary meatus. The Bartholin's and Skene's glands each ha ...

. 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 Bikini waxing is the removal of pubic hair using a special wax, which can be hot or cold, that adheres to hairs and pulls them out when the wax is removed quickly from the skin, usually with a cloth strip. While the practice is mainly associa ...

. 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 A Christina piercing, also known as a Venus piercing, is a female genital piercing. It is located where the outer labia meet, below the pubic mound. The Christina piercing is anatomy dependent; it has a high rejection rate, and is not possible ...

or the

Nefertiti piercing A Nefertiti piercing is a female genital piercing that is a combination of a vertical clitoral hood piercing and a Christina piercing. Healing can be lengthy given the amount of tissue the jewelry must pass through. Flexible bars are recommend ...

Vajazzling A vajazzle, also occasionally spelled vagazzle and sometimes nicknamed glitter pubes, is a form of genital decoration. The word is a portmanteau of ''vajayjay'' (a euphemism for ''vagina'') and ''bedazzle''. The process of creating a vajazzle is ...

refers to the non-permanent decoration of the ''mons pubis'' with crystal ornaments.

Genital tattooing Genital tattooing is the practice of placing permanent marks under the skin of the genitals in the form of tattoos. Occurrence , genital tattoos are still relatively rare, though tattoos in general have enjoyed an upsurge of popularity, partic ...

is also common in this area using traditional ink as well as temporary henna designs or

mehndi Mehndi () is a form of temporary skin decoration using a paste created with henna. In the West, mehndi is commonly known as henna tattoo, although it is not a permanent tattoo. Mehndi is a popular form of body art in South Asia and resembl ...

. 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 Rudolf "Rudi" Gernreich (August 8, 1922 April 21, 1985) was an Austrian people, Austrian-born American fashion designer whose avant-garde clothing designs are generally regarded as the most innovative and dynamic fashion of the 1960s. He purposef ...

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 ''

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