Glossary | Trans Care BC

Provincial Health Services Authority

Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) improves the health of British Columbians by seeking province-wide solutions to specialized health care needs in collaboration with BC health authorities and other partners.

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Vagina

An internal organ located between the legs. A person may be born with a vagina or have one surgically created. When referring to genitals, the Trans Care BC website uses "internal genitals (vagina)" for trans people assigned female at birth (AFAB), and "vagina" or "vagina with vaginoplasty" for trans people assigned male at birth (AMAB), but there are many different terms that individuals may use.

Vaginectomy

A surgical procedure that involves the removal of vaginal tissue and the closure of the genital opening (vaginal canal).

Vaginoplasty

A gender-affirming genital surgery to create a vulva (including mons, labia, clitoris and urethral opening) and vagina.

Vocal feminization surgery

A gender-affirming surgery to elevate the pitch of the voice.

Vulvoplasty

A gender-affirming genital surgery to create a vulva (including mons, labia, clitoris and urethral opening) and remove the penis, scrotum and testes. Vulvoplasty creates the external aspects of a vulva without creation of a vaginal canal.