External Female Genitalia (Vulva):
The external female genitalia includes the mons-pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule and perineum; they are all visible on external examination.
- Mons Pubis - is the pad of subcutaneous fatty tissue in front of the pubis. It is covered by the pubic hair in an inverted triangle fashion.
- Labia majora - is the elevation skin and subcutaneous tissue which forms the lateral boundaries of the vulva. The labia majora contains sebaceous glands, sweat glands and hair follicles. The labia majora are homologous with the scrotum in the male. -
- Labia minora - these are two thick skin folds, devoid of fat, lying on either side within the labia majora. Posteriorly each labia minora fuse to form a fold of skin called fourchette. Labia minora don not contain hair follicle. It is homologous with the ventral aspect of the penis.
- Clitoris - this is a small cylindrical erectile body situated in the most anterior part of the vulva. It is analogous to the penis in the male.
- Vestibule - is a triangular space bounded anteriorly by the clitoris, posteriorly by the fourchette and on either side by labia minora. There are four openings into the vestibule.
- Urethral opening - situated in the midline just anterior to the vaginal orifice.
- Vaginal orifice - located posterior to the urethral opening. In virgins and nulliparous the opening is closed by the labia minora but in parous, it may be exposed. The orifice is incompletely closed by a septum of mucus membrane called hymen.
- Bartholin's duct opening (one on each side) - it secretes abundant alkaline mucus, during sexual excitement which helps in lubrication. Each gland has got a duct which opens just anterior to the Hymen.
- Perineum (Perineal body) - is a pyramidal shaped tissue where the pelvic floor, the perineal muscles and fascia meet. It is located between the vagina and the anal canal. (See the external female genitalia -- fig1.1 below).
Fig. 1.1 External female reproductive systems.