Vagina
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{{Infobox Anatomy
| Name = Vagina
| Latin = "[[sheath]]" or "[[scabbard]]"
| GraySubject = 269
| GrayPage = 1264
| Image = Female anatomy.png
| Caption = Human female internal reproductive anatomy - profile view.
| Image2 =
| Caption2 =
| Width = 225
| Precursor =
| System =
| Artery = [[Iliolumbar artery]], [[vaginal artery]], [[middle rectal artery]]
| Vein =
| Nerve =
| Lymph = upper part to [[internal iliac lymph nodes]], lower part to [[superficial inguinal lymph nodes]]
| Precursor = [[urogenital sinus]] and [[paramesonephric duct]]s
| MeshName = Vagina
| MeshNumber = A05.360.319.779
| DorlandsPre = v_01
| DorlandsSuf = 12842531
}}
The '''vagina''' (from [[Latin]], literally "[[sheath]]" or "[[scabbard]]") is a fibromuscular [[cylinder (geometry)|tubular]] tract leading from the [[uterus]] to the exterior of the body in female [[placental mammal]]s and [[marsupials]], or to the [[cloaca]] in female [[bird]]s, [[monotreme]]s, and some [[reptile]]s. Female [[insect]]s and other [[invertebrate]]s also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the [[oviduct]]. The Latinate plural (rarely used in English) is vaginae.
In common speech, the term "vagina" is often used to refer to the [[vulva]] or female genitals generally; strictly speaking, the vagina is a specific internal structure and the vulva is the exterior genitalia only.
== Human anatomy ==
[[Image:Vagina%2CAnus%2CPereneum-Detail.jpg|thumb|150px|Vagina and surroundings.]]
The [[human]] vagina is an elastic muscular canal that extends from the [[cervix]] to the [[vulva]].<ref>[http://www.womenshealth.gov/glossary/#vagina http://www.womenshealth.gov/glossary/#vagina] ''Womenshealth.gov'' </ref> Although there is wide anatomical variation, the length of the unaroused vagina is approximately 6 to 7.5 cm (2.5 to 3 in) across the anterior wall (front), and 9 cm (3.5 in) long across the posterior wall (rear).<ref>Gray's Anatomy</ref> During sexual arousal the vagina expands in both length and width.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.engenderhealth.org/res/onc/sexuality/response/pg2.html | work = EngenderHealth | title = The sexual response cycle | accessdate = 2007-10-13 }}</ref> Its elasticity allows it to stretch during [[sexual intercourse]] and during [[birth]] to offspring.<ref>[http://www.metrokc.gov/HEALTH/famplan/flash/grades11-12/G1112-L17.pdf http://www.metrokc.gov/HEALTH/famplan/flash/grades11-12/G1112-L17.pdf] ''Metrokc.gov''</ref> The vagina connects the superficial vulva to the cervix of the deep [[uterus]].
If the woman stands upright, the vaginal tube points in an upward-backward direction and forms an [[angle]] of slightly more than 45 degrees with the uterus. The vaginal opening is at the [[caudal]] end of the vulva, behind the opening of the [[urethra]]. The upper one-fourth of the vagina is separated from the [[rectum]] by the [[rectouterine pouch]]. Above the vagina is [[Mons Veneris]]. The vagina, along with the inside of the vulva, is reddish pink in color, as with most healthy internal mucous membranes in mammals.
[[Vaginal lubrication]] is provided by the [[Bartholin's gland]]s near the vaginal opening and the cervix. The membrane of the vaginal wall also produces moisture, although it does not contain any glands. Before and during [[ovulation]], the [[cervix]]'s mucus glands secretes different variations of [[mucus]], which provides a favorable alkaline environment in the vaginal canal to maximize the chance of survival for [[sperm]].
The [[hymen]] is a thin [[mucous membrane|membrane]] of [[connective tissue]] which is situated at the opening of the vagina. As with many female animals, the hymen covers the opening of the vagina from birth until it is ruptured during activity. The hymen may rupture during sexual or non-sexual activity. Vaginal penetration may rupture the hymen. A [[pelvic examination]], injury, or certain types of exercises, such as [[horseback riding]] or [[gymnastics]] may also rupture the hymen. Sexual intercourse does not always rupture the hymen.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rogers |first=Deborah J |coauthors=Margaret Stark |year=1998 |month=August |title=The hymen is not necessarily torn after sexual intercourse |journal=BMJ |volume=317 |pages=414 |url=http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/317/7155/414 |accessdate= 2007-11-22 |pmid=9694770}}</ref> Therefore, the absence of a hymen does not necessarily indicate prior sexual activity.
== Physiological functions of the vagina ==
The vagina has several biological functions.
=== Uterine secretions ===
The vagina provides a path for [[menstruation|menstrual]] [[blood]] and tissue to leave the body. In industrial societies, [[tampon]]s, [[menstrual cup]]s and [[sanitary napkin]]s may be used to absorb or capture these fluids.
=== Sexual activity ===
The concentration of the nerve endings that lie close to the entrance of a woman's vagina can provide pleasurable sensation during sexual activity, when stimulated in a way that the particular woman enjoys. During [[sexual arousal]] and particularly stimulation of the [[clitoris]], the walls of the vagina self-[[lubrication|lubricate]], reducing friction during [[sexual activity]]. Research has found that portions of the clitoris extend into the vulva and vagina.<ref>Mascall, Sharon, “Time for Rethink on the Clitoris”, BBC News. 2006 June |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5013866.stm</ref>
With arousal, the vagina lengthens rapidly to an average of about 4 in.(8.5 cm), but can continue to lengthen in response to pressure.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thesite.org/sexandrelationships/havingsex/performanceproblems/doessizematter | work = [[TheSite.org]] | title = Does size matter | accessdate = 2006-08-12 }}</ref> As the woman becomes fully aroused, the vagina tents (last ²⁄₃ expands in length and width) while the cervix retracts.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.askmen.com/love/dzimmer/17_love_answers.html | work = AskMen.com | title = do big penises hurt? | accessdate = 2006-08-14 }}</ref> The walls of the vagina are composed of soft elastic folds of mucous membrane skin which stretch or contract (with support from pelvic muscles) to the size of the penis. With proper arousal, the vagina may stretch/contract to accommodate virtually any penis size (or sex toy/object within reason).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.birth.com.au/class.asp?class=65&page=28 | work = birth.com.au | title = The female reproductive system | accessdate = 2007-05-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/penissize.htm | work = netdoctor.co.uk | title = Facts about penis size | accessdate = 2007-05-14 }}</ref>
=== G-spot ===
{{details|G-spot}}
An [[erogenous zone]] referred to commonly as the ''[[G-spot]]'' is located at the anterior wall of the vagina, about five centimeters in from the entrance. Some women experience intense pleasure if the [[G-spot]] is stimulated appropriately during sexual activity. A G-Spot [[orgasm]] may be responsible for [[female ejaculation]], leading some doctors and researchers to believe that G-spot pleasure comes from the [[Skene's glands]], a female homologue of the [[prostate]], rather than any particular spot on the vaginal wall.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crooks |first=R |coauthors=Baur, K |title=Our Sexuality |origyear=1999 |publisher= Brooks/Cole |location=California}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Jannini E, Simonelli C, Lenzi A | title = Sexological approach to ejaculatory dysfunction. | journal = Int J Androl | volume = 25 | issue = 6 | pages = 317–23 | year = 2002 | pmid = 12406363 | doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2605.2002.00371.x <!--Retrieved from CrossRef by DOI bot-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Jannini E, Simonelli C, Lenzi A | title = Disorders of ejaculation. | journal = J Endocrinol Invest | volume = 25 | issue = 11 | pages = 1006–19 | year = 2002 | pmid = 12553564}}</ref> Some researchers deny the existence of the G-spot.<ref name=Hines> {{cite journal |author =Hines, T |year =2001 |month =August |title =The G-Spot: A modern gynecologic myth |journal =Am J Obstet Gynecol |volume =185 |issue =2 |pages =359–62 | doi = 10.1067/mob.2001.115995 <!--Retrieved from CrossRef by DOI bot-->}}</ref>
=== Childbirth ===
During [[childbirth]], the vagina provides the channel to deliver the baby from the [[uterus]] to its independent life outside the body of the mother. During birth, the vagina is often referred to as the ''birth canal''. The vagina is remarkably elastic and stretches to many times its normal diameter during vaginal birth.
== Sexual health and hygiene ==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=December 2007}}
{{main|vulvovaginal health}}
The vagina is self-cleansing and therefore usually needs no special treatment. Doctors generally discourage the practice of [[douche|douching]]. Since a healthy vagina is colonized by a mutually [[symbiotic]] flora of microorganisms that protect its host from disease-causing microbes, any attempt to upset this balance may cause many undesirable outcomes, including but not limited to abnormal discharge and [[yeast infection]]. The acidity of a healthy vagina due to [[lactic acid]] secreted by symbiotic microorganisms retards the growth of many strains of dangerous microbes.
The vagina is examined during [[Gynecology|gynecological]] exams, often using a [[speculum (medical)|speculum]], which holds the vagina open for visual inspection of the cervix or taking of samples (see [[pap smear]]).
''Signs of Vaginal Disease''
Vaginal Diseases present with lumps, discharge and sores.
Lumps<ref>Mayo Clinic Staff Bartholin’s Cyst. January 19 2008 accessed http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bartholin-cyst/DS00667/DSECTION=1 23 March 2008</ref>
The presence of unusual lumps in the wall or base of the vagina is always abnormal. The most common of these is [[Bartholin's cyst]]. The cyst, which can feel like a pea, is formed by a blockage in glands which normally supply the opening of the vagina. This condition is easily treated with minor surgery or silver nitrate. Other less common causes of small lumps or vesicles are [[herpes simplex]]. They are usually multiple and very painful with a clear fluid leaving a crust. They may be associated with generalized swelling and are very tender. Lumps associated with cancer of the vaginal wall are very rare and the average age of onset is seventy years<ref>Manetta A, et al Primary invasive carcinoma of the vagina. Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Jul;72(1):77-81.</ref>. The most common form is [[squamous cell carcinoma]], then cancer of the glands or [[adenocarcinoma]] and finally, and even more rarely, [[melanoma]].
Discharge<ref>Spence D, Melville C,. Vaginal Discharge. BMJ 2007;335:1147-1151 (1 December)</ref>
The great majority of vaginal discharges are normal or physiological and include blood or menses (from the uterus), the most common, and clear fluid either as a result of sexual arousal or secretions from the cervix. Other non infective causes include [[dermatitis]], discharge from foreign bodies such as retained tampons or foreign bodies inserted by curious female children into their own vaginas. Non-sexually transmitted discharges occur from [[bacterial vaginosis]] and thrush or [[candidiasis]]. The final group of discharges include sexually transmitted diseases, [[gonorrhoea]], [[Chlamydia infection|chlamydia]] and [[trichomonas]]. The discharge from thrush is slightly pungent and white, that from Trichomonas more foul and greenish and that from foreign bodies resembles the discharge of gonorrhoea, greyish or yellow and purulent( like pus).
Sores<ref>Micali G, Benign Vulval Lesions. eMedicine Dec 4 2006 accessed at http://www.emedicine.com/med/fulltopic/topic3295.htm#section~AuthorsandEditors 23rd March 2008.</ref>
All sores involve a break down in the walls of the fine membrane of the vaginal wall. The most common of these are abrasions and small ulcers caused by trauma. While these can be inflicted during rape most are actually caused by excessive rubbing from clothing or improper insertion of a sanitary tampon. The typical ulcer or sore caused by [[syphilis]] is painless with raised edges. These are often undetected because they occur mostly inside the vagina. The sores of herpes which occur with vesicles are extremely tender and may cause such swelling that passing urine is difficult. In the developing world a group of parasitic diseases also cause vaginal ulceration such as [[Leishmaniasis]] but these are rarely encountered in the west.
[[HIV/AIDS]] can be contracted through the vagina during intercourse but is not associated with any local vaginal or vulval disease<ref>Mayo Clinic Staff HIV/AIDS. January 20 2008 accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS00005 on 23rd March</ref>. All the above local vulvovaginal diseases are easily treated. Often only shame prevents patients from presenting for treatment<ref>Butcher J ABC of Sexual Health: Female Sexual Problems 11: Sexual Pain and Sexual Fears. BMJ 1999;318:110-112 ( 9 January )</ref>.
== Additional images ==
<gallery>
Image:Illu cervix.jpg|Uterus and uterine tubes.
Image:Illu repdt female.jpg|Organs of the female reproductive system.
Image:Vulva_anatomy.jpg|Schematic vulva anatomy.
Image:Gray1161.png|Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind.
Image:Gray1166.png|Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment.
Image:Gray1167.svg|Posterior half of uterus and upper part of vagina.
Image:Vagina (mucosa).JPG|Layers of the vaginal wall.
</gallery>
== See also ==
* [[Childbirth]]
* [[Cunnilingus]]
* [[Cunt]] (slang term for a vagina, and one of the [[seven dirty words]])
* [[Grafenberg spot]]
* [[Human sexual behavior]]
* [[Human sexuality]]
* [[Kegel exercise]]
* [[Masturbation]]
* [[Menstruation]]
* [[Sex]]
* [[Intercourse]]
* [[Sex-positive feminism]]
* [[The Vagina Monologues]]
== External links ==
* [http://www.scarleteen.com/article/body/anatomy_pink_parts_female_sexual_anatomy Pink Parts] - "Walk through" of female sexual anatomy.
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{wiktionary|vagina}}
{{commons|Vagina}}
{{Sex}}
{{Female reproductive system}}
{{human anatomical features}}
[[nan:Im-tō]]
[[Category:Reproductive system]]
[[Category:Gynecology]]
[[Category:Female reproductive system]]
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[[af:Vagina]]
[[ar:مهبل]]
[[gn:Takor]]
[[ay:Chinqi]]
[[az:Uşaqlıq yolu]]
[[br:Gouhin]]
[[bg:Влагалище]]
[[ca:Vagina]]
[[cs:Pochva]]
[[cy:Gwain]]
[[da:Skede (kønsorgan)]]
[[pdc:Dasche]]
[[de:Vagina]]
[[dv:އަންހެނާގެ ޖިންސީ ގުނަވަން]]
[[el:Κόλπος (ανατομία)]]
[[es:Vagina]]
[[eo:Vagino]]
[[eu:Bagina]]
[[fa:مهبل]]
[[fr:Vagin]]
[[gd:Faighean]]
[[gl:Vaxina]]
[[gan:屄]]
[[hr:Vagina]]
[[ilo:Uki]]
[[id:Vagina]]
[[ia:Vagina]]
[[iu:ᐅᑦᓱᒃ/utsuk]]
[[is:Leggöng]]
[[it:Vagina]]
[[he:נרתיק]]
[[jv:Vagina]]
[[ku:Vajîna]]
[[la:Vagina]]
[[lt:Makštis (lytinis organas)]]
[[jbo:vibna]]
[[mk:Вагина]]
[[ml:യോനി]]
[[ms:Faraj]]
[[nl:Vagina]]
[[ja:膣]]
[[no:Vagina]]
[[nn:Vagina]]
[[oc:Vagina]]
[[pl:Pochwa (anatomia)]]
[[pt:Vagina]]
[[ro:Vagin]]
[[qu:Rakha]]
[[ru:Влагалище женщины]]
[[simple:Vagina]]
[[sk:Pošva (vagína)]]
[[sl:Nožnica]]
[[sr:Вагина]]
[[su:Liang Heunceut]]
[[fi:Emätin]]
[[sv:Slida]]
[[tl:Puke]]
[[ta:யோனி]]
[[te:యోని]]
[[th:ช่องคลอด]]
[[vi:Âm đạo]]
[[tr:Vajina]]
[[uk:Піхва]]
[[yi:וועזשיינע]]
[[zh-yue:陰道]]
[[zh:阴道]]