Page 88 - 86 human physiology part-2

The Female Reproductive System

The external female genitals are collectively referred to as The Vulva. This consists of the labia
majora and labia minora (while these names translate as "large" and "small" lips, often the "minora"
can be larger, and protrude outside the "majora"), mons pubis, clitoris, opening of the urethra (meatus),
vaginal vestibule, vestibular bulbs, vestibular glands.

The term "vagina" is often improperly used as a generic term to refer to the vulva or female
genitals, even though - strictly speaking - the vagina is a specific internal structure and the vulva is the
exterior genitalia only. Calling the vulva the vagina is akin to calling the mouth the throat.

Mons Veneris

The mons veneris, Latin for "mound of Venus" (Roman Goddess of love) is the soft mound at the
front of the vulva (fatty tissue covering the pubic bone). It is also referred to as the mons pubis. The
mons veneris is sexually sensitive in some women and protects the pubic bone and vulva from the
impact of sexual intercourse. After puberty it is covered with pubic hair, usually in a triangular shape.
Heredity can play a role in the amount of pubic hair an individual grows.

Labia Majora

The labia majora are the outer "lips" of the vulva. They are pads of loose connective and adipose
tissue, as well as some smooth muscle. The labia majora wrap around the vulva from the mons pubis to
the perineum. The labia majora generally hides, partially or entirely, the other parts of the vulva. There
is also a longitudinal separation called the pudendal cleft. These labia are usually covered with pubic
hair. The color of the outside skin of the labia majora is usually close to the overall color of the
individual, although there may be some variation. The inside skin is usually pink to light brown. They
contain numerous sweat and oil glands. It has been suggested that the scent from these oils are sexually
arousing.

Labia Minora

Medial to the labia majora are the labia minora. The labia minora are the inner lips of the vulva.
They are thin stretches of tissue within the labia majora that fold and protect the vagina, urethra, and
clitoris. The appearance of labia minora can vary widely, from tiny lips that hide between the labia
majora to large lips that protrude. There is no pubic hair on the labia minora, but there are sebaceous
glands. The two smaller lips of the labia minora come together longitudinally to form the prepuce, a
fold that covers part of the clitoris. The labia minora protect the vaginal and urethral openings. Both the
inner and outer labia are quite sensitive to touch and pressure.

Clitoris

The clitoris, visible as the small white oval between the top of the labia minora and the clitoral
hood, is a small body of spongy tissue that functions solely for sexual pleasure. Only the tip or glans of
the clitoris shows externally, but the organ itself is elongated and branched into two forks, the crura,
which extend downward along the rim of the vaginal opening toward the perineum. Thus the clitoris is
much larger than most people think it is, about 4" long on average.

The clitoral glans or external tip of the clitoris is protected by the prepuce, or clitoral hood, a
covering of tissue similar to the foreskin of the male penis. However, unlike the penis, the clitoris does
not contain any part of the urethra.

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