infibulation

Closure of the vaginal vestibule by creating a fusion of the labia majora; typically done after excision of the labia minora and clitoris and incision of the labia majora to create raw surfaces that can be surgically joined by pinning so that they will eventually grow together; done for cultural, not medical, reasons. SEE ALSO: female circumcision. [L. infibulo, to pin or clasp together, to join surgically (Celsus), fr. in- + fibula, pin, clasp]

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in·fib·u·la·tion (.)in-.fib-yə-'lā-shən n an act or practice of fastening by ring, clasp, or stitches the labia majora in girls and the foreskin in boys in order to prevent sexual intercourse

in·fib·u·late -'fib-yə-.lāt vt, -lat·ed; -lat·ing

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n.

see circumcision

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in·fib·u·la·tion (in-fib″u-laґshən) [L. infibulare to buckle together] 1. the act of buckling, or fastening as if with buckles. 2. a practice done in extreme types of female circumcision in certain cultures; after excision of the clitoris and the labia minora, the vaginal orifice is largely closed up with stitches or clasps. This has been declared harmful by the World Health Organization.