Anatomy of Vagina

Question 1

What is the name of the shallow recess surrounding the cervical protrusion into the vaginal canal?

Answer 1

Fornix

Question 2

What is the primary blood supply to vagina?

Answer 2

• Vaginal branches of internal iliac arteries + veins

Question 3

Innervation of vagina?

Answer 3

Hypogastric plexus
Sacral nerves S2-S4
Branches of pudendal nerve

Question 4

What are three main functions of vagina?

Answer 4

1. Passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids
2. Receives penis during sexual intercourse + holds spermatozoa prior to passage into uterus
3. Forms inferior portion of birth canal, through which fetus passes during delivery

Question 5

What is the hymen?

Answer 5

Separates vagina + vestibule (space bounded by labia minora)

- elastic epithelial fold

Question 6

Which two muscles extend along either side of vaginal entrance?

Answer 6

Two bulbospongiosus muscles
- cover vestibular bulbs (erectile tissue either side of vaginal entrance, same embryological origin as corpus spongiosum of penis)

Question 7

What cell type is the vaginal lumen lined by?

Answer 7

NKSS epithelium

- relaxed state, epithelium in folds - rugae

Question 8

What are the layers of the vaginal wall?

Answer 8

• NKSS epithelium
• lamina propria - thick + elastic, contains small BVs, nerves + lymph nodes
• elastic muscularis layer (smooth muscle in circular + longitudinal)
• portion of vagina adjacent to uterus covered by serosa continuous with pelvic peritoneum
• rest of vagina surrounded by adventitia of fibrous CT

Question 9

What is the purpose of resident bacteria in the vagina?

Answer 9

• supported by cervical mucus
• metabolic activity of bacteria creates acidic environment
• -restricts growth of harmful bacteria