Female Anatomy

Question 1

Vulva

Answer 1

• structure: entire external genital area in a woman
• location: external genital area in a women

Question 2

Mons

Answer 2

• structure: fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair, contains many nerve endings
• location: above the vulva
• function: padding during sex

Question 3

Labia Majora

Answer 3

• structure:padded with fatty tissue, partially covered with hair
• location:extends from the mons downward on either side of the vulva
• function: erotically sensitive

Question 4

Labia Minora

Answer 4

• structure: hairless, twin folds of skin
• location: lie between the labia majora
• function: very erotically sensitive (more so than the labia majora), swell and darken due to vascongestion

Question 5

Clitoral hood

Answer 5

• structure: hood that covers the clitoris
• location: located where the labia minora meet
• function: covers the clitoris

Question 6

Clitoris

Answer 6

• structure: made up of spongy tissue, internal and external portions (glans: small, pearl sized knob; visible portion) (shaft: about 1 inch in length; runs upwards from the glands under the clitoral hood)
• location: located where the labia minora meet, under the clitoral hood
• function: erectile -> two cavernous bodies and one spongy body, highly sensitive -> continual, proper stimulation will produce orgasm in most women

Question 7

Vaginal opening

Answer 7

• structure: entrance to the vagina
• location: located in between the labia minora and the rear of the vestibule
• function: entrance to the vagina

Question 8

Hymen

Answer 8

• structure: incomplete or perforated membrane
• location: covers the vaginal opening
• no known function, may have cultural significance

Question 9

Perineum

Answer 9

• structure: hairless strip of skin
• location: located between the vaginal opening and the anus
• function: erotically sensitive, cut during an episiotomy

Question 10

PC muscle

Answer 10

• structure: underlies/ supports pelvic organs
• location: underlies/supports pelvic organs
• function: contraction during sex stiffens vaginal walls, contractions stronger at orgasm; prevents urinary/ fecal leakage, helps keep semen in the vagina

Question 11

Vagina

Answer 11

• structure: vaginal walls highly elastic, consists of 3 layers (mucosa, intermediate muscular, fimbro-elastic)
• function: outermost portion of the reproductive tract
• location: transport of sperm, serves as birth canal, physiological changes during arousal; vasocongestion, lubrication

Question 12

Grafenberg spot

Answer 12

• structure: may be remnant of the prostate gland
• location: located on the front wall of the vagina, approximately 1-2 inches from the vaginal entrance
  -function: area of heightened sensitivity

Question 13

Cervix

Answer 13

• structure: separates the uterus from the vagina, holds the fetus in the uterus until delivery, the “Os” ; constricted opening of the cervix that connects the vagina to a short canal opening into the uterus
• location: located at the back of the vagina, bottom/small end of the uterus
• function: separates the uterus from the vagina, holds the fetus in the uterus until delivery

Question 14

Uterus (womb)

Answer 14

• structure: small, hollow, upside-down pear-shaped organ, 3 layers; endometrium (inner lining, sheds during menstruation where fertilized egg(s) implant), myometrium (middle muscular wall; composed primarily of smooth muscle; contracts during birth), perimetrium; (outer tough, stretchable tissue; separates uterus from pelvic cavity; protects fetus)
• location: lies within the pelvic cavity
• function: carries the developing fetus until term

Question 15

Oviducts (fallopian tubes)

Answer 15

• structure: about 4 inches long, about the diameter of a piece of spaghetti
• location: forms a pathway between the uterus and the left and right ovaries
• function: where fertilization takes place

Question 16

Fimbria

Answer 16

• structure: fingerlike projections of the oviducts
• location: located on the ovary side of each oviduct
• function: catch the ovum from the ovary

Question 17

Cilia

Answer 17

• structure: small hairlike structures
• location: located inside oviducts
• function: their movement propels the ovum from each ovary to the uterus

Question 18

Ovaries

Answer 18

• structure: egg-shaped paired organs
• location: located on either side of the uterus
• function: release of a mature ova in a process called ovulation, production and secretion of sex hormones

Question 19

Follicle

Answer 19

• structure: site of egg development
• location: many located in each ovary
• function: site of egg development, ovum = mature female gamete prior to or just following fertilization

Question 20

Breasts, nipple, areola

Answer 20

• structure: Alveolus -> microscopic cavities where breast milk is produced
• location: mammary glands lie between the skin and the muscle of the chest wall, Areola -> surrounds the nipple
• function: have both erotic and reproductive significance