What does a woman's vulva look like?

The vulva is the female external genitalia, which refers to the exposed part of the female reproductive organs, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris and other tissues and organs. The external reproductive organs of women and men are different, and their physiological structures are different. In addition, for women, because the urethra is relatively short, if they are not careful in daily life, they are more susceptible to the threat of germs. Therefore, they must pay attention to personal hygiene in daily life.

Vulva structure

1. Mons pubis

The mons pubis is the part of the vulva that rises in front of the pubic symphysis, which is composed of skin and a very thick layer of fat. Pubic hair begins to grow during puberty in the form of a triangle with a downward-pointing tip.

2. Labia majora

It is a pair of oblong raised skin folds on both sides of the vulva, close to the inner side of the thighs. It is connected to the mons pubis in front and the perineum in the back; it stretches downward and backward from the mons pubis. The left and right labia majora in front unite to form the anterior commissure, and the two ends in the back join to form the posterior commissure. The posterior commissure is located in front of the anus, but is not as obvious as the anterior commissure. There is pubic hair outside the labia majora. Subcutaneous tissue contains adipose tissue, elastic fibers and venous plexus, which are prone to hematoma after injury. The labia majora of unmarried women close naturally, covering the vaginal opening and urethral opening. The labia majora of multiparous women spread apart due to the impact of childbirth.

3. Labia minora

It is a pair of mucosal folds on the inner side of the labia majora, with a moist surface. The upper ends of the left and right sides of the labia minora are forked and connected to each other. The skin fold above is called the clitoral hood, and the skin fold below is called the clitoral frenulum. The clitoris is located in the middle of them. The lower ends of the labia minora meet at the bottom of the vaginal opening, called the frenulum. There are abundant nerves under the labia minora mucosa, so the sensitivity is keen.

4. Clitoris

The clitoris is located at the top between the labia minora on both sides. It is a small oblong organ with a round head at the end and the inner end connected to a thin bundle of erectile tissue. Erectile tissue is a kind of spongy tissue with rich venous plexus and nerve endings, so it is sensitive and prone to bleeding after injury. A woman's clitoris is equivalent to the glans of a man's penis. But it is degenerated.

5. Clitoral hood

Used to protect the clitoris, it is formed by the upper junction of the two labia minora.

6. Vestibule

The diamond-shaped area surrounded by the labia minora on both sides is called the vestibule. The surface is covered with mucous membrane and is approximately a triangle. The tip of the triangle is the clitoris, the base is the frenulum of the labia, and the two sides are the labia minora. The urethra opens in the upper part of the vestibule. The vaginal opening is at its lower part. Also located in this area are the paraurethral glands, vestibular bulbs, and greater Bartholin's glands.

7. Vaginal opening

The vaginal opening is covered by an incompletely closed mucous membrane called the hymen. There is a hole in the middle of the hymen through which menstrual blood flows out. The size of the hymen hole and the thickness of the membrane vary from person to person. After the hymen is broken, the mucous membrane appears as many small round balls, which become the hymen scar. The hymen doesn't mean anything.

8. Vestibular bulbs

The vestibular bulbs are a pair of spongy tissues, also known as the bulbospongiosity, which have erectile properties. Located on both sides of the vaginal opening. It is connected to the clitoral vein in front and the Bartholin's gland in the back, and its surface is covered by the bulbospongiosus muscle. Bleeding easily after injury.

9. Bartholin's glands

The Bartholin's glands are also called the Bartholin's glands. Located at the lower end of the vagina, behind the labia majora, it is also covered by the bulbospongiosus muscle. It is a gland on each side, the size of a small bean. Its glandular duct is very narrow, about 1.5 to 2 cm, and opens on the inner side of the lower end of the labia minora. Most of the epidermis of the glandular duct is squamous epithelium, and only the innermost end of the duct is composed of a layer of columnar cells. When sexually excited, the gland secretes yellow-white mucus, which lubricates the vaginal opening. This gland cannot be felt during a normal examination.

10Urethra

The urethral opening is an irregular oval hole between the lower edge of the pubic symphysis and the vaginal opening, through which urine flows out. There is a pair of glands on the posterior wall, called paraurethral glands, which open on the posterior wall of the urethra and are often where bacteria lurk.

11. Hymen

The vaginal opening is covered by an incompletely closed mucous membrane called the hymen. There is a hole in the middle of the hymen through which menstrual blood flows out. The size of the hymen hole and the thickness of the membrane vary from person to person. After the hymen is broken, the mucous membrane appears as many small round balls, which become the hymen scar.

12 Perineum

It is the thin membrane between the vaginal opening and the anus. During childbirth, a very large extension will occur, allowing the fetal head to smoothly emerge from the vaginal opening.