Female Anatomy Review

External Anatomy Review

The external genital area of a girl’s body is called the vulva. The vulvar includes many unique organs. It is important for a girl to understand the different areas and how they work.

o Mons Pubis: This is the pad of fatty tissue that lays over the pelvic bone. This area will grow pubic hair.

o Labia Majora: These are the larger folds of skin surrounding the vagina. Sometimes they are referred to as “lips”. The purpose is to close over and protect the vagina when legs are closed.

o Clitoris: This is a very sensitive area just above the urethra. Some terms used to refer to this area are: clit, nub, bean or bald man in the boat.

o Urethra: This is the opening a girl uses to urinate or pee from.

o Vagina: This is the opening that leads to the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This is opening where the penis is placed during intercourse or sex. It is also the opening that the baby passes through during delivery.

o Hymen: A thin membrane of skin that partial coverage the vaginal opening. The hymen may be broken for several reasons. It does not mean a girl is no longer a virgin if her hymen is not intact.

o Labia minora: These are the smaller folds of skin on either side of the vagina. These are also referred to as “lips”

o Anus: This is the opening which girls have bowel movements or poop from.

Internal Anatomy Review

o Ovaries: These are the small organs that carry all the eggs a woman will release in her lifetime. They are only 2-3 cm in size.

o Fallopian Tubes: This is the pathway for the egg to travel from the ovary to the uterus.

o Uterus: The uterus is a muscular organ. It can contract. These contractions are sometimes painful and are called “cramps”. This is where a baby will grow if the egg is fertilized or meets with sperm.

o Endometrium: This is the lining on the inside of the uterus. Each month this lining will thicken in preparation for pregnancy. When a pregnancy does not occur, the lining sloughs or slides off through the cervix and vagina. This is menstruation or periods.

o Cervix: This is the base of the uterus or the part that sits at the back end of vagina. The cervix is one place where STDs can be found.

o Vagina: This is the pathway between the extern genitals and the internal reproductive organs. The vagina secrets fluids to lubricate and cleanse itself.