External female reproductive system :-

•External genitals are the accesory structure of female that are external to the vagina and it's occupy large part of female perineum. 

     Perineum:- A surface or region in both female and male between the pubic symphysis and coccyx. 

•External genitals are synonyms to vulva or pudendum. 

Female reproductive system
Fig 1.external genitals

    Parts and functions of external genitals:-

    Vulva or pudendum:-

    •The vulva or pudendum is the outer part of the female genitals in perineum. 
    •In Latin word vulva means wrapper or covering. 
    Vulva, female reproductive system
    Fig 2.Vulva


       Boundaries of vulva:-

    • Anterior     :- mons pubis 
    • Laterally    :- labia majora
    • Posteriorly:- perineum

       Functions of vulva:- 

        •The main function of vulva is protection of  internal organs of female reproductive system.

    Parts and functions of vulva:-           

    1.Mons pubis :-

    mons pubis is also known as mons veneris mons pubis is a pad of subcutaneous adipose connective tissue and it is situated in the anterio-posterior to pubic symphysis . 

    External genitals female reproductive system
    Fig 3.mons pubis


                •After puberty(Average age 11 but some time the process can take up to 4 year so the age may be 8 to 14 year) it is covered by coarse (thicker) hair in escutcheon pattern(triangular
    base directed upward) in third sign of puberty pubarche. 
          

    ➡Functions of mons pubis:-  

    • protection of pubis and sexual arousal. 

    ➡What is cause of large mons pubis:-

    •the cause of large mons pubis may be simple weight gain, hormonal factors and even genetic deposition 

    •It is rare to find an obese woman or man who does not store excess fat in the pubic area.

    2.Labia majora:-

    Labia majora is also known as larger outer lip of vulva it is thick elevated fold of skin. 
    External genitals, female reproductive system
    Fig.4 labia majora

                •They are composed of skin, fibrous tissue, fat & large number of sebaceous gland  (but no hair follicle). 
                •It is homologous(similar in fundamental structure and in origin but not necessarily in function) to scrotum in the male

    ➡Functions of labia majora :- protection of inner structure and sexual arousal. 

    ➡colour of labia majora:-  

    The labia majora also may change in color. In adults, the color can range from light pink to dark brown-red or black.

    • Many light-skinned women have brown or purplish labia majora



    3.Labia minora :- 

    labia minora is also known as small inner lip of vulva. There are two thin elevated folds of skin without fat. 
    • Anteriorly it divided and enclosed by clitoris. 
    • Posteriorly it makes  thin skin folds known as fourchette.  
    External genitals, female reproductive system
    Fig 5.labia minora


    • Labia minora is homologous to penile urethra and parts of the penis in male. 
    • It is made up of erectile connective tissue and containing numerous sebaceous gland. 

    ➡location of labia minora:--labia minora is located inside the labia majora. 

    ➡Development of labia minora:- Development of labia minora occurs at period of third month of pregnancy from urogenital folds

    ➡Functions of labia minora:- 

       •protection of vagina. 

    4.Clitoris:-

    clitoris is a small cylindrical erectile body and consist two small cylindrical erectile tissue Corpora and cavernosa. 
    External genitals-female reproductive system
    Fig. 5 Clitoris


        •Erectile tissue means spongy tissue, the space filled with blood that cause it's harden and expand
       •Clitoris is homologous to penis in the male and is is attached to the under surface to the pubic symphysis by the suspensory ligament. 

    ➡Location of clitoris:-

       •Clitoris is situated anteriorly of vulva

    ➡Length of clitoris:-
      •The length of clitoris is about 1.5cm to 2cm.

    ➡Functions of clitoris:-

      •To give sexual arousal and pleasure during    intercorse. 

    ➡Enlarged clitoris- 

    •In the conditions of sexual excitement or   arousal the flow of blood in clitoris is more   than normal conditions due to the blood filled   the clitoris are large in their size but after   orgasm the blood are normal and also clitoris   size

    5.Vestibule :- 

    Vestibule is the inner portion of vulva. It is a area that is enclosed by labia minora
    Skenes gland-external genitals diagram
    Fig. 6 Vestibule


    ➡Shape of vestibule :- 

    •Vestibule is a almond-shaped (triangular) space. 

    ➡Boundaries of vestibule :-

    • Anteriorly  :- Clitoris
    • Posteriorly :- Fourchette
    • Either side :- labia minora

    ➡Opening of vestibule :- 

    •There are four opening in the vestibule. 

    • Anteriorly    :- urethra
    • Mid portion :- vaginal orifice
    • Lateral side  :- bartholin gland
    • "" "" "" "" ""    :- skenes gland

    6. Vaginal orifice :- 

    The vaginal orifice lies in the posterior end of the vestibule. It is completely closed by hymen
    Vaginal orifice-external genitals
    Fig. 7 vaginal orifice


    • Hymen :- A thin layer of mucous membrane that is partially cover opening of vaginal in virgin female during sexual intercourse and child birth it may rupture. It is not present in some women Like:- Athletic girl, sports women and after coital Act. 

    ➡Relations of vaginal orifice :- 

    • Anterior  :- Bladder or urethra
    • Posterior :- Rectum and anal canal

    7.Bartholin gland :-

    • Bartholin gland first described by casper bartholin (1677) . 
    • It is two small pea sized compound mucous glands and it is greater vestibule gland.  
    • The duct is lined by columnar epithelium but near it's opening by stratified squamous epithelium
    • Bartholin gland carry the secretions of alkaline that is suitable for sperm activities
    • It is homologous to bulb of penis. 

    ➡Colour of bartholin gland :- 

    The colour of bartholin duct is yellowish white. 

    Bartholin gland - external genitals
    Fig. 8 Bartholin gland

    ➡Location of bartholin gland :- 

    The bartholin gland ia located in each lateral wall of the vestibule of the vagina, near the vaginal opening at the base of the labia majora. 

    ➡Functions of bartholin gland:- 

    • Help in easy fertilization 
    • Lubricant the vagina 
    • Secretions increase with sexual excitement

    8. Skene's gland :-

    • SKene's gland is lesser vestibule gland and largest para urethral. 
    • Two skene's duct open in the vestibule on either side of the external urethral meatus (female ejaculation) 
    • It is homologous to prostate in male 

    ➡Purpose of skene's gland :- 

    •The purpose of skene's gland is secrete mucous containing fluid substance these substance help in lubricant of urethra. 

    Fig. 9 Skene's gland

    9.Vestibule bulbs :- 

    • These are bilateral elongated masses of erectile tissue beneath the mucous membrane of the vestibule and infront of the bartholin gland. 
    • They are homologous to the male corus spongiosum. 
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