Redrawing and Renaming Our Bodies
In our society, the language used to describe the human body is loaded with meanings, some of which are steeped in taboo, ignorance, and shame. Often, we find ourselves surrounded by informal or comical terms to refer to the female external genital apparatus, such as ‘chichi’, ‘conchita’, or ‘pepe’, among others. However, understanding and respect for our bodies, especially our genitals, is still an area where myths and prejudices persist. It is essential to question these beliefs and begin a process of re-appropriation and rediscovery that allows us to connect consciously and healthily with our anatomy.
Along these lines, we will explore different aspects related to the need to redraw and rename the body. Firstly, we will reflect on how the lack of knowledge of our female genitalia continues to be an alarming reality. Next, we will address the importance of renaming our body parts from a more inclusive and feminist perspective. Finally, we will analyze the historical implications of the names assigned to our private parts and the impact of patriarchy on gynecology and sexology.
Ignorance and Shame: A Persistent Problem
The taboo surrounding female genitalia is a widespread problem. According to a study conducted by INTIMINA in 2020, one in three women do not know how to differentiate the vulva from the vagina, and a considerable percentage (45%) do not know the location of the cervix. This is not an isolated phenomenon, but the result of years of poor education and lack of visibility of these body parts. We are surrounded by representations of male bodies, but the representation of female genitalia remains scarce and hidden. This lack of information and visibility contributes to the feeling of discomfort and shame that many experience when trying to connect with their bodies.
Renaming the Body: Towards a New Perspective
One of the first steps in redrawing our relationship to the body is to rename it in a way that recognizes and values it in its entirety. It is striking that many essential parts of the female anatomy are named after male scientists, such as Skene’s or Bartholin’s glands. These names perpetuate a historical and patriarchal view of science, where knowledge about the female body was acquired without women’s consent and under exploitative conditions. From this analysis, the need arises to propose new names for these parts of the body, as has been done in some feminist and artistic initiatives, to reflect a change in the way we understand and reclaim our anatomy.
In this context, the Chilean artist and performer Klau Chiche, through her project Anarchagrand, seeks to question and redraw the history of modern gynecology. This project promotes the idea of renaming the parts of the body that, today, still bear the names of men, and in this way, reclaim knowledge and the relationship with our own body from a more inclusive and conscious perspective.
Some of the parts of the female body that bear these male names are still unknown to many women, which reinforces the cycle of ignorance and detachment. These structures and their functions are detailed below, with a renewed focus on the language we can use to appropriate our knowledge:
- Skene’s glands, or paraurethral glands: Located on the sides of the urethra, these glands are responsible for female ejaculation, a whitish fluid released before or during orgasm, which is often confused with vaginal lubrication.
- Bartholin’s glands, also known as major vestibular or lubricating glands: Located on the sides of the vaginal orifice, these glands secrete a fluid during sexual arousal, which lubricates the inner lips of the vulva, thus facilitating penetration and reducing friction.
- Fallopian tubes, now renamed uterine tubes: These ducts, located on both sides of the uterus, are responsible for transporting the egg from the ovaries to the uterus. In addition, thanks to internal villi called cilia, the tubes facilitate the encounter between the egg and the sperm, being a fundamental part of the reproductive process.
The Hidden History: From Obstetric Violence to Re-appropriation
The history of modern gynecology is marked by violence and exploitation. Enslaved women, such as Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, were subjected to medical experiments without anesthesia and without consent, leaving a mark on the way many gynecological procedures were developed. This historical violence not only continues to affect women but is also present in the way black and racialised women continue to be treated in medicine. Acknowledging these facts and addressing inappropriate practices and misinformation about the female body is essential to begin a process of collective healing.
Re-appropriating our body is empowerment
The process of redrawing and renaming the body is an act of empowerment. By becoming aware of our anatomy and questioning the historical conventions imposed by patriarchy, we can begin to reclaim our sexuality in a freer and more respectful way. This involves not only getting to know our bodies better but also changing the language and representations associated with them, to heal and free ourselves from the historical and cultural burdens that still affect us. As more women join this journey of self-knowledge and reclamation, the future looks brighter for sexual autonomy and sexual health for all.
Alba Laredo
La Psicointensa
Psychologist expert in gender and equality; Sexologist and expert educator in sexual health. Sex educator at La Psicointensa and collaborator at Integria Psicolgía.