Anatomy of the External

Female Genitalia
May Leng

The Perineum
Gk. around the
natal area
The anatomical
or true perineum
is the diamondshaped outlet of
the pelvis and
the soft tissues
which cover it

The Perineum
Gynaecological
perineum
Area between the
posterior
commissure and the
anus

The Vulva

Mons Pubis and Labia

Majora
Mons Pubis
Pad of fatty tissue
overlying the
symphysis pubis
and covered by skin
and pubic hair

Inner smooth
surface
Sebaceous, sweat
and apocrine glands

Clitoris and Labia Minora

Clitoris (homologue of penis)
Has copious blood supply from
clitoral artery and is highly
innervated

Labia Minora
Anterior divides to form
prepuce and frenulum
Posterior unite in a
fourchette which is obliterated
by delivery of a baby
Contain no fat but many
sebaceous glands

Vestibule
Area between labia
minora
Fossa navicularis
Obliterated by childbirth

Lesser vestibular
glands
Mucosal glands
discharging on the
surface of the vestibule

External Urethral Orifice

Skenes ducts
Tiny orifices of the
paraurethral glands
(homologues of the
prostate)

Vaginal Orifice
Midline aperture incompletely closed by hymen
Hymen
Thin septum of tissue lined by squamous epithelium
with a small hole (or several) for the passage of
menstrual blood
Ruptured by coitus and more or less obliterated by
childbirth
A few tags of skin -> Carunculae myrtiformes

Bulb of the vestibule

Bulb of the vestibule
Consists of 2 masses of
erectile tissue on either
side of the vagina
Homologue of the bulb
of the penis
Erectile tissue becomes
tumescent during
sexual excitement
Glands secrete a
mucoid discharge which
acts as a lubricant

Bartholins Gland
Greater vestibular
Homologues of the
bulbourethral
(Cowpers) glands in
male
Drains by a duct (
2cm) which opens into
the vaginal orifice
lateral to the hymen
Not palpable in the
healthy state

Histology of Bartholins
Gland
Gland
Lined with
columnar or
cuboid
epithelium

Duct
Lined with
transitional
epithelium

Muscles of the Perineum