External Genitalia
1. Mons Pubis (mons veneris)
Pad of subcutaneous adipose connective tissue.
Lying infront of pubis and in adult female, cover by hair.
2. Labia majora
Vulva bounded on each side by; elevation of skin and subcutaneous tissue form labia majora.
Anterior commissure of labia majora.
Back commissure of labia majora in front of anus.
Skin surface pigmented and covered with hair follicles.
Labia majora covered with squamous epithelium and contain sweat gland (sebaceous glands).
Beneath the skin (thin skin on inner surface) dense connective tissue and adipose tissue, adipose tissue rich supply with venous plexus, produce haematoma if injury occur during child birth.
Thin skin on inner surface has sebaceous gland but no hair follicle.
2. Labia minora
Two thin fold of skin, on either side just within labia majora.
Anteriorly; they divide to enclose clitoris and unite with each other in front and behind clitoris, to form the prepuce and before frenulum.
Lower portion of labia majora fuses form a fold of skin known fourchette (usually lacerated during child birth).
Labia Minora
Labia minora; no hair follicle or sweat gland.
Labia minora folds; connective tissue, sebaceous gland, erectile muscle fibres, vessels, nerve endings.
3. Clitoris (glans)
Attached under surface of symphysis pubis by suspensory ligament.
Small cylindrical erectile body (1.5-2cm).
Anterior part of Vulva; consist two cylindrical corpora cavernosa (erectile tissue).
Glans covered by; Squamous epithelium, rich supplied with nerves.
Vessels of clitoris connected with vestibular bulb (usually injured during child birth).
4. Vestibule
Four opening into vestibule;
1. Urethral opening
2. Vaginal orifice and hymen
3. Opening of Bartholin’s ducts
4. Skene’s glands
1. Urethral opening
Urethral opening situated infront of vaginal orifice.
2. Vaginal orifice and hymen
Lie posterior end of vestibule, incompletely closed by septum of mucus membrane called hymen.
On both side it lined by stratified squamous epithelium.
3. Opening of Bartholin’s ducts (greater vestibular gland)
Located on either side of vagina.
2 bartholin’s glans, one on each side.
Pea sized and yellowish white in colour.
During sexual excitement, it secrets alkaline mucus; help in lubrication, lined by columnar epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium.
4. Skene’s glands (lesser vestibular gland or larger paraurethral glands)
Located either side of urethra.
Secrete substance to lubricate urethra opening.
5. Vestibular bulb
Two erectile soft tissue i.e either side of the vaginal entrance. Each bulb is covered by bulbocavernosus muscle.
This muscle aid in constricting the venous supply to erectile vestibular bulb and also act as sphincter vaginal.
Bilateral elongated masses of erectile tissue
Situated beneath the mucus membrane of the vestibule.
Each bulb lie on either side of vaginal orifice infront of bartholin’s gland.
Cause rhythmic contraction in bulbocavernosus muscle during response to sexual arousal the bulbs fill with blood.
Blood Supply of External Genital Organ
1. Arteries
Branch of internal pudendal artery (Branch of internal iliac artery)
Branch of femoral artery
External pudendal artery
2. Vein
Vein from plexuses drain into;
Internal pudendal vein
Vesicle or vaginal venous plexus
Long saphenous vein
Nerve Supply
Pudendal Nerve;
Dorsal nerve for clitoris (important for female sexual pleasure)
Perineal nerve for external genitalia
Branch of pudendal nerve (inferior rectal nerve; S2-S4)
Lymphatics
Lymphatics drainage; Vulval lymphatic have bilateral drainage.
Lymphatic drain into; superficial inguinal lymph node.
Drain through cloquet node (rosenmuller’s node) to external and internal iliac lymph node.
