(HYOO-mun PA-pih-LOH-muh-VY-rus) 
A group of more than 200 common viruses. Some human papillomavirus types, called cutaneous human papillomaviruses, are transmitted by casual contact and can infect the skin and cause common skin warts. Other human papillomavirus types, known as mucosal human papillomaviruses, can infect the moist surfaces or inner lining of some organs and body cavities, such as the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, mouth, and throat. Infection with some mucosal human papillomavirus types (collectively known as low-risk human papillomavirus) can cause warts in or around the genitals, anus, mouth, and respiratory tract but rarely cause cancer. Long-lasting infection with other mucosal human papillomavirus types (collectively known as high-risk human papillomavirus) can cause cell changes that become cancer over time if not found and removed. Human papillomavirus-related cancers include cancers of the cervix, anus, oropharynx, vagina, vulva, and penis. Mucosal human papillomavirus types are transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, most often during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Also called HPV.