Exam 5 Review: Chapter 27 Vaginal Anatomy
vagina - The passage leading from the opening of the vulva to the cervix of the uterus; it is composed of an elastic mucosa, thrown into longitudinal folds, regae, lined by moist stratified squamous epithelium and a thin underlying muscularis and an outer adventitia; the female copulatory organ which is the receptacle for the penis during sexual intercourse and the passageway for delivery of the neonate at birth. aka -- birth canal.
fornix - The arch or fold of the termoinal vaginal wall which surrounds the cervix of the uterus which projects a small distance into the vaginal canal; it is the location for placement of the cervical cap = diaphragn for contraception.
rugae - The folds or creases on the inner lining of the vagina, composed primarily of the epithelial and mucosal layers.
adventitia - A loose fibrous connective tissue outer covering of an organ or a blood vessel which is not within a body cavity and therefore is not covered by a serosal membrane; this outer covering simply extends outward until the next organ or structure is encountered.
vaginal orifice - The narrowest portion of the vaginal canal which opens to the surface in the floor of the vestibule of the vulva posterior to the external urethral orifice.
hymen - A thin, usually incomplete, fold of vascular mucous membrane which often partly or completely occludes the opening to the vaginal orifice, it is a remnant of the embryonic development of the female reproductive tract; it is normally disrupted and lost after a woman has had sexual intercourse or even after strenuous physical activity or from a pelvic exam or tampon use; it does not regenerate; some cultures equate the bleeding which follows this tearing of the membrane as the physical evidence of the loss of "virginity." See example illustrations below.
imperforate hymen - A developmental anomaly in which the embryonic membrane, which should partially degenerate naturally to leave the remnant thin, incomplete, fold of mucous membrane which partly occludes the opening to the vaginal orifice, the hymen, instead remains continuous and relatively firm without any openings; the condition usually remains asymptomatic until puberty when menstrual discharge accumulates behind it, distending the vagina, and, sometimes, leading to more serious complications; it is treated by a simple surgical incision.
Sketch and label:
11. a longitudinal section of the vagina. List the functions of each part.
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