Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology

General

The vulva is a portal for a variety of functions (reproductive and excretory) and has a unique role in sexual feelings and function.

Because it is covered with both dry, squamous skin and moist mucous membrane, it is subject to diseases affecting both. Because of the close proximity of the rectum, intestinal bacteria (anaerobes and coliforms) are more or less constantly present to some degree. These may influence the type and course of infections in this area.

The vulva may develop conditions both benign and malignant, symptomless, annoying, or even disabling.

The larger lips, labia majora, extend from the mons pubis to the rectum. These are large, fleshy pads that cover the bony pubic rami. They each contain a Bartholin gland, which is usually not noticed but occasionally causes some problems.

Just inside the labia majora are the smaller lips, the labia minora. In women who have not had a baby, they are very thin and are usually hidden, to some extent, by the labia majora. After a pregnancy, they are thicker and more prominent. They are rich in nerve endings and are usually very sensitive to touch. During sexual arousal, they swell and moisten with extracellular fluid. During urination, the labia minora function to direct the urine stream in a more or less single direction by forming a curtain on either side of the urethra.

The labia minora come together at the top of the vulva to form the clitoral hood. This tissue covers the clitoris, which lies just beneath the hood. The clitoris is characteristically firmer than the surrounding tissues, with a rubbery consistency. It has a high concentration of nerve endings and is extremely sensitive to touch and vibration. It is usually, but not always, the area of greatest sexual sensitivity. During the early stages of sexual arousal, it swells and protrudes just beyond the clitoral hood. In the latter phases of arousal, it generally flattens and retracts back beneath the clitoral hood.

The urethra lies between the clitoris and the vagina. It conducts urine from the bladder to the outside. It is normally non-tender to light or moderate touch. On each side of the urethra are the pin-point Skene's ducts.

When the labia are spread open, the hymen or remnants of the hymen are visualized. This ring-like structure is usually torn at first intercourse, leading to a small amount of bleeding. For some women, insertion of tampons or other objects will lead to hymeneal rupture. After healing, only small bumps or flaps of skin remain.

Anatomic variation with hymens is considerable. Some are thin, stretchy, and so small as to be largely unnoticed. Others are thick and nearly impenetrable. Rarely, the hymen completely covers the vaginal opening, disallowing the passage of menstrual products.

Just inside the hymen is the beginning of the vagina. In contrast to the smooth vulvar skin, the vaginal skin has circumferential ridges (rugae). The vagina is not cylindrical in shape, but more like a flattened cone, narrow at the vaginal opening, and widening as the vagina approaches the cervix. Normally, the anterior and posterior vaginal walls are in contact with each other, but during intercourse or an examination, they separate. During sexual arousal, the vaginal skin "sweats" small droplets of extracellular fluid, which is the primary source of lubrication during intercourse.

The posterior fourchette is the area of mucous membrane between the rectum and the hymeneal ring.

Some women do not seem to have any noticeable discharge, while others normally have a more or less constant slight discharge that is odorless, clear to white and mucoid in nature.

*This video is an added feature, provided by the Brookside Associates Medical Education Division. It was not present in the original edition.

Home  ·  Introduction  ·  Medical Support of Women in Field Environments  ·  The Prisoner of War Experience  ·  Routine Care  ·  Pap Smears  ·  Human Papilloma Virus  ·  Contraception  ·  Birth Control Pills  ·  Vulvar Disease  ·  Vaginal Discharge  ·  Abnormal Bleeding  ·  Menstrual Problems  ·  Abdominal Pain  ·  Urination Problems  ·  Menopause  ·  Breast Problems  ·  Sexual Assault  ·  Normal Pregnancy  ·  Abnormal Pregnancy  ·  Normal Labor and Delivery  ·  Problems During Labor and Delivery  ·  Care of the Newborn

This web version of Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology is provided by The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division.  It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMEDPUB 6300-2C, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense. All material in this version is unclassified.

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