Topic Resources
The external female genital structures include the mons pubis and the vulva (which includes the labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris).
The external female genital structures have three main functions:
Allowing sperm to enter the body
Protecting the internal genital organs from infectious organisms
Providing lubrication and sexual pleasure
The mons pubis is a rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone. During puberty, it becomes covered with hair. The mons pubis contains oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands that release substances that are involved in sexual attraction (pheromones).
The labia majora are relatively large, fleshy folds of tissue that enclose and protect the other structures of the vulva. The labia majora contain sweat and sebaceous glands, which produce lubricating secretions. During puberty, hair appears on the labia majora.
The labia minora are located just inside the labia majora and can be very small or up to 2 inches wide. A rich supply of blood vessels gives the labia minora a pink color. During sexual stimulation, these blood vessels become engorged with blood, causing the labia minora to swell and become more sensitive to stimulation.
The labia minora surround the openings to the vagina and urethra (a structure located above the vaginal opening that carries urine to the outside from the bladder).
External Female Reproductive Anatomy
The opening to the vagina is called the introitus. The vaginal opening is the entryway for vaginal intercourse or other sexual activity and the exit for blood during menstruation and for a baby during birth.
When stimulated, Bartholin glands (located inside tissue beside the vaginal opening) secrete a thick fluid that supplies lubrication for intercourse.
The clitoris, located between the labia minora at their upper end, is a small protrusion that corresponds to the penis in the male. The clitoris, like the penis, is very sensitive to sexual stimulation and can become erect. Stimulating the clitoris can result in an orgasm.
The area between the opening of the vagina and the anus, below the labia majora, is called the perineum. It varies in length from about 1 to more than 2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters).
The labia majora and the perineum are covered with skin similar to that on the rest of the body. In contrast, the labia minora are lined with a mucous membrane, whose surface is kept moist by fluid secreted by specialized cells.
