What are the female external genitalia composed of?

The female reproductive system is divided into external genitalia and internal genitalia. The female external genitalia, also known as the vulva, refers to the exposed part of the reproductive organs, including the tissue between the two inner thighs from the pubic symphysis to the perineum.

(1) Mons pubis: The skin in front of the pubic symphysis is raised and the subcutaneous fat is rich. During puberty, pubic hair begins to grow on this part of the skin, which is distributed in a triangular shape with the tip downward. There are racial and individual differences in the density and color of pubic hair.

(2) Labia majora: a pair of longitudinally raised skin folds adjacent to the inner sides of the two strands, starting from the mons pubis and ending in the perineum. The front ends of the labia majora on both sides are the end points of the round ligament of the uterus, and the rear ends merge in front of the perineal body to form the anterior and posterior union of the labia respectively. The outer surface of the labia majora is the same as the skin, with sebaceous glands and sweat glands inside. Pubic hair grows during puberty; the inner surface of the labia majora has moist skin like mucous membrane.

The subcutaneous fat layer of the labia majora contains rich blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves, which can easily bleed to form hematoma after injury. The labia majora on both sides naturally close together in unmarried women; in multiparous women, they separate to both sides due to the impact of childbirth; after menopause, they shrink due to low hormone levels, and the pubic hair is sparse.

(3) Labia minora: a pair of thin folds located on the inner side of the labia majora. The surface is moist, brown, hairless, and rich in nerve endings, so it is very sensitive. The labia minora on both sides fuse with each other at the front end, and are divided into two lobes, the front and back, which surround the clitoris. The front leaves form the clitoral foreskin, and the back leaves form the clitoral frenulum.

The back end of the labia minora and the back end of the labia majora meet to form the labial frenulum in the midline.

(4) Clitoris: Located at the junction of the tops of the two labia minora, it is a spongy tissue similar to the male penis and has erectile properties. It is divided into three parts. The front end is the glans clitoris, which is exposed on the vulva. It is rich in nerve endings and is extremely sensitive; the middle part is the body of the clitoris; and the back part is the two clitoral crura, which are attached to the pubic branches on both sides.

(5) Vaginal vestibule: the diamond-shaped area between the lateral labia minora. In front of it is the clitoris, and behind it is the labial frenulum. In this area, there is the external urethral opening in the front and the vaginal opening in the rear. There is a shallow pit between the vaginal opening and the labial frenulum, which is a scaphoid fossa (also known as the vaginal vestibular fossa). Due to the impact of childbirth, this fossa is not See you again. There are also the following parts in this area:

①Vestibular bulb: It is called the corpus cavernosum, located on both sides of the vestibule. It is composed of an erectile venous plexus. The front part is connected to the clitoris, and the back part is connected to the clitoris. Bartholin's gland is adjacent and its surface is covered by the bulbocavernosus muscle.

② Bartholin's gland: called Bartholin's gland, located at the back of the labia majora, covered by the bulbocavernosus muscle, as big as a soybean, one on the left and one on the left. The glandular duct is slender (1 to 2cm) and opens medially into the groove between the labia minora and the hymen behind the vestibule. Mucus is secreted during sexual excitement for lubrication. This gland cannot be palpated under normal circumstances. If the duct orifice is blocked, a cyst or abscess may form, which may be visible or palpable.

③Urethral opening: It is slightly round in the front part of the vestibule behind and below the head of the clitoris. There is a pair of parallel glands on the posterior wall called paraurethral glands, whose secretions lubricate the urethral opening. Bacteria often lurk in this gland.

④Vaginal opening and hymen: The vaginal opening is located in the back of the vestibule behind the urethral opening. Its periphery is covered with a thin layer of mucous membrane called the hymen. Both sides of the membrane are covered by squamous epithelium, which contains connective tissue, blood vessels and nerve endings. There is a hole, mostly in the center. The shape and size of the hole and the thickness of the membrane vary from person to person. The hymen can rupture during first sexual intercourse or strenuous exercise, and further rupture during childbirth, leaving only a trace of the hymen after delivery.