What is the structure of the vulva?

The vulva is a very mysterious part. For women, the vulva and vagina are very important parts. Not only do women need to use them during sexual intercourse, but women's menstruation and childbirth also need to pass through the vagina. Therefore, many people of the opposite sex are very curious about the female private parts. Usually, many women do not particularly understand the structure of their private parts. The following introduces the structure of the female vulva.

What is the structure of the vulva?

Composition of the female vulva: Female external genitalia refers to the exposed part of the female reproductive organs. Includes: mons pubis, vestibular bulbs, urethral orifice, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, Bartholin's glands, vaginal vestibule, vaginal orifice and hymen. Its upper boundary is the mons pubis, its lower boundary is the perineum, and its two sides are located on the inner sides of the thighs. More detailed information is as follows:

1. Mons pubis

It is the part of the vulva that raises in front of the pubic symphysis, and 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. Vestibular bulb

It is a pair of spongy tissues, also known as the corpus cavernosum, which has 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.

3. Urethra

Between the lower edge of the pubic symphysis and the vaginal opening is an irregular oval hole 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Clitoris

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.

7. Bartholin 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. The epidermis of the glandular duct is mostly squamous epithelium, and only at the innermost end of the duct is it composed of a layer of columnar cells. When sexually excited, it secretes yellow-white mucus, which lubricates the vaginal opening. This gland cannot be felt during a normal examination.

8. Vestibule

The prismatic area enclosed 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 bottom 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 vestibular bulbs and greater Bartholin's glands.

9. Vaginal opening and 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.