What is the vulva and what structures does it include?

The vulva, also known as the pudendum, refers to the collective female external genitalia. It includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and associated glands like the greater vestibular glands.

What is the vestibule of the vagina and what openings does it contain?

The vestibule is an elliptical space enclosed by the labia minora. It contains the urethral orifice anteriorly, the vaginal orifice (introitus) posteriorly, and openings of glands like the greater vestibular (Bartholin's) glands.

What are the functions of the mons pubis and labia majora?

The mons pubis acts as a cushion during sexual intercourse, formed by a fat pad over the pubic symphysis. The labia majora are skin folds containing fat and hair that enclose and protect the more delicate vulvar structures.

How do the labia minora relate to other vulvar structures?

The labia minora are thin, hairless folds medial to the labia majora. They define the vestibule boundaries and are continuous anteriorly, forming the prepuce and frenulum of the clitoris, and posteriorly, uniting at the fourchette near the vaginal orifice.

What is the clitoris and how is it structured?

The clitoris is a small, erectile organ (less than 2 cm long) located at the vestibule's anterior margin. It is homologous to the male penis but lacks a urethra, with key parts including the body (formed by corpora cavernosa) and glans, and it is highly innervated for sexual arousal.

What glands are associated with the female external genitalia?

Several glands open into the vestibule, including the greater vestibular glands (Bartholin's glands), lesser vestibular glands, and paraurethral glands (Skene's glands).

Vulva – Labia, Clitoris, Vestibule & Glands