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Mons pubis

The mons pubis, also called the mons veneris, is a rounded mound of fatty tissue situated over the pubic symphysis. It is more prominent in females due to higher fat content and plays protective, aesthetic, and functional roles. The mons pubis forms the anterior part of the vulva and continues laterally with the labia majora. It is clinically significant in gynecology, dermatology, oncology, and radiology, as well as in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Synonyms

  • Mons veneris

  • Pubic mound

  • Pubic fat pad

Location and Boundaries

  • Anteriorly: Subcutaneous tissue of the lower abdominal wall

  • Posteriorly: Labia majora and anterior vulvar commissure

  • Superiorly: Continuous with abdominal wall fat and skin

  • Inferiorly: Blends with the skin and tissues of the vulva and labia majora

  • Deep: Lies directly above the pubic symphysis and pubic bones

Relations

  • Lies superficial to the pubic symphysis and pubic bones

  • Continuous laterally with labia majora

  • Superiorly merges with hypogastric abdominal wall

  • Inferior relation to clitoral hood and anterior commissure

Function

  • Provides cushioning and protection to the pubic bones and underlying structures during physical activity and sexual intercourse

  • Contains abundant adipose tissue, which is hormonally influenced (enlarges after puberty, decreases after menopause)

  • Contributes to the aesthetic contour of the external genitalia

  • Plays a role in sexual signaling, historically associated with secondary sexual characteristics

Clinical Significance

  • Can be affected by lipomas, abscesses, hidradenitis suppurativa, inguinal hernias, and neoplasms

  • May be enlarged or ptotic due to obesity or aging, relevant in aesthetic/cosmetic surgery (monsplasty)

  • Target for hair removal, dermatologic procedures, and reconstructive gynecology

  • On imaging, it is a landmark for superficial pelvic pathology and inguinal/groin disease

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Fatty tissue of mons pubis appears bright

  • Skin and fibrous septa appear low signal intensity

  • No fluid: only fat and soft tissue layers visible

T2-weighted images:

  • Fat appears bright

  • Skin and fibrous septa remain dark

  • Fluid collections, if present (e.g., abscess), appear bright

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat is suppressed and dark

  • Fluid and edema appear bright

  • Inflammation or abscess stands out as hyperintense

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Fat suppressed and dark

  • Normal subcutaneous tissues show minimal enhancement

  • Pathology (infection, tumor, abscess) enhances heterogeneously or with rim enhancement

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Mons pubis appears as a low-attenuation fat pad overlying the pubic symphysis

  • Skin seen as a thin dense layer on the surface

  • Fluid or abscess appears as a higher density area compared to fat

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Fat remains non-enhancing

  • Skin and small vessels show mild enhancement

  • Abscesses or inflammatory changes show rim or diffuse enhancement

  • Tumors or neoplastic infiltration enhance irregularly

MRI image

Mons pubis MRI axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Mons pubis MRI coronal anatomy image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Mons pubis CT axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000