Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology

The Reproductive System 469

Mons pubis

Prepuce of clitoris

Glans of clitoris

Urethral orifice

Labium minora

Labium majora

Vaginal orifice

Bartholin's glands

Perineum

Hymen

(^) ® Anus^
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Figure 19- 10 The female external genitalia or vulva.
The External Genitalia of the Female
The reproductive structures located external to the vagina
are referred to as the external genitalia of the female. The
term vulva (VULL-vah), or pudendum (pyoo-DEN-
dum), is a collective term for these structures. They include
the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral
and vaginal openings, and the vestibular glands (Figure 19-
10).
The mons pubis, also called the veneris (veh-
NEER-is), is a mound of elevated adipose tissue that
becomes covered with pubic hair at puberty. It is situated
directly over the pubic symphysis. From the mons pubis,
extend-ing posteriorly and inferiorly are two longitudinal
folds of hair-covered skin called the labia majora (LAY-
bee-ah mah-JOR-ah). This is the female homologue to the
male scrotum. These two folds of skin contain an
abundance of adipose tissue and sweat glands. Medial to
the labia majora are two other delicate folds of skin called
the la-bia minora (LAY-bee-ah mih-NOR-ah). The labia
minora do not have hair and have just a few sweat glands,
but possess numerous sebaceous glands.
The clitoris (KLIT-oh-ris) is a small, cylindrical
mass of erectile tissue with nerves found at the anterior
junc-tion of the labia minora. There is a layer of skin called
the prepuce or foreskin formed at the point where the two
labia minora join and cover the body of the clitoris. The
exposed portion of the clitoris is the glans. The clitoris is
the female homologue to the male penis. It, too, is capa-ble
of enlargement by becoming swollen with blood dur-ing
sexual stimulation and excites the female. Unlike the penis,
it does not have an internal duct.
The opening or region between the two labia minora is
called the vestibule. Within the vestibule is a thin fold of
tissue called the hymen (HIGH-men), which partially closes
the distal end of the vagina. This fold of mucosa is highly
vascularized and bleeds when ruptured during the first sex-ual
intercourse. It occasionally is torn during a sports activ-ity or
on insertion of a tampon. Also located in the vestibule are the
vaginal orifice and the urethral orifice plus the open-ings
of several ducts coming f rom the vestibular glands.
Posterior to and on either side of the urethral orifice
are the two openings of the ducts of the lesser vestibular
or Skene’s glands. These glands are homologous to the