So What’s the Problem
Female Orchid Classification System
Problem Definition
The following nine images are examples of the normal range of diversity (not inclusive) in human female genitalia. Using the common anatomical terms of clitoris, labia majora and minora, hood, glans and vagina, try to differentiate the uniqueness of each orchid example below.
A problem you say? Of course you can describe the genitalia above using the common anatomical names, but what you can’t do is differentiate them – they are all described the same even though there are vast differences in their form!
Stated succinctly, the real problems are:
- The limited anatomical terminology is far too generalized to make distinctions amongst the normal diversity of female genitalia
- We do not have language or terminology to articulate the differences in the range of human female genitalia
- We do not have a method of classifying genitalia that have similar or different characteristics.
The solution is the Female Orchid Classification System (FOCS). It addresses orchid vocabulary, morphology and taxonomy in the following manner:
- New terminology and definitions to describe features of female genitalia
- A classification framework to distinguish common groups and features of genitalia types
- Provides rules for classification and description
- Provides a method to classify and describe almost all orchids to encompass the diversity in human female genitalia
The Female Orchid Classification System still uses the common anatomical terms of labia majora and minora, clitoris, hood, glans, urethra and vagina, but extends the vocabulary using new morphological terms. FOCS is about morphology, meaning the physical or natural features of an object or entity (orchid parts) and their form and description. This extended vocabulary permits the granularity of description to allow orchids to be articulated as to their common and distinct features. That is why the Female Orchid Classification System could be subtitled “The Morphology of Human Female Genitalia”.
The intent of the Female Orchid Classification System is to classify, and give names, definitions and descriptions to morphological features to set a standard for analysis and comparison. One of the advantages of having standard terminology is that it unlocks the English language to help describe features. For example, we can describe an earlobe as round or elongated, bulbous, thin etc. Try to describe the same thing if there were no word for earlobe and the only word available was ear. The morphological specificity of the Female Orchid Classification System allows us to leverage descriptors already available in the English language.
Lest readers be intimidated by the terms morphology and taxonomy, it’s just a fancy but rigorous way of sorting and classifying. For example, if someone gave you a large box of stamps and you wanted to organize them, you’d first want to set up some categories to sort them into. A rule might be to sort them by country and issue date. Once sorted that way, you might want to organize each country and date by some other category. The message here is that FOCS, although rigorous in its method and rules, is very understandable, and not overly technical in the results.
The sections that follow fully explain the Female Orchid Classification System and descriptions. So buckle up and be studious so you too can become an orchid specialist!