External Genitalia

The external genitalia of the female is known collectively as the vulva which consists of : Labia majora – labium majus Labia minora – labium minus Clitoris – Vestibule Hymen Greater vestibular glands

Labia majora Boundary of the vulva Skin, fibrous tissue, fat, sebaceous glands Anteriorly the folds join in front of the symphysis pubis, and posteriorly they merge with the skin of the perineum At puberty hair grows on the mons pubis and the lateral surfaces of the labia majora

Labia minora Smaller folds Situated between the two labia majora Contain numerous sebaceous glands Posteriorly they fuse to form the fourchette The cleft between the labia minora is called the vestibule The vagina, urethra and ducts of the greater vestibular glands open into the vestibule

Clitoris Corresponds to the penis in the male Contains sensory nerve endings and erectile tissue Hymen Thin layer of mucous membrane – occludes the opening of the vagina Greater vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands) situated one on each side near the vaginal opening – secrete mucus – open into the vestibule lateral to the hymen

Perineum Blood Supply Arterial supply Internal pudendal arteries which arise from the internal iliac arteries External pudendal arteries from the femoral arteries Veins A large plexus of veins internal iliac veins Lymph drainage  superficial inguinal nodes Nerve supply  by branches from pudendal nerves Perineum Area extending from the fourchette to the anal canal. It is roughly triangular and consists of connective tissue, muscle and fat It gives attachment to the muscles of the pelvic floor