Vagina

Vagina ( Latin word meaning sheath) is a hollow, elastic and muscular tube present in the female’s genital tract and extend from cervix of uterus (womb) to the exterior of body by an opening called vaginal opening (just below the urethral opening so unlike males, females have two external openings in the perineal region) that is surrounded by labia.

It lies on the pelvic floor which keeps the vagina elevated, tight and firm. Due to the presence of microorganisms (especially lactobacillus bacteria) it has acidic pH that inhibits the growth of foreign microorganisms and increases the immunity.

It is located in the pelvic body cavity posterior to the urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum and anal canal.

Female Reproductive|Male Reproductive

Vagina

ANATOMY

It is a muscular canal that has folds and is reddish pink in color. In erect posture, it is directed upwards and backwards. The long axis of uterus forms an angle of 90 degree with the long axis of vagina (anteversion) in majority females. It measures around 3 inches in length and less than an inch in diameter, it can stretch during childbirth and sexual intercourse according to the requirement. In the virgin, the lower end of vagina is partially closed by a thin, annular fold of mucous membrane called Hymen. Bartholin’s glands and hymen glands are the major glands of vagina whose secretions keep it moist. Sphincter urethrae, transverse perineal muscles, perineal membrane and pelvic diaphragm are the major supports of vagina. The vagina is related by;

Anterior wall to urinary bladder and urethra,
Posterior wall to rectum, anal canal and recto-uterine pouch,
Lateral wall to perineal membrane and levator ani muscle.

Vaginal fornices (4 in number) are vault like recesses that are formed by protrusion of the cervix into the vagina. Anterior fornix lies in front of cervix and is shallowest, Posterior fornix lies behind cervix and is deepest, Lateral fornices lie one on each side of the cervix.

HISTOLOGY

From inside out, there are three coats of vaginal wall; Mucosa (consists of folded stratified squamous non-keratinised epithelium and lamina propria), Muscularis (consists of inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers), Adventitia (consists of thin layer of fibroelastic connective tissue).

BLOOD SUPPLY, NERVE SUPPLY AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

The arterial supply is by uterine artery and vaginal artery.

The venous drainage is by uterovaginal venous plexus and vaginal vein.

The sympathetic supply is by lumbar splanchnic plexus and parasympathetic supply by pelvic splanchnic plexus.

The Lymphatic drainage is into internal iliac lymph nodes, external iliac lymph nodes and superficial inguinal lymph nodes.

FUNCTION

It serves as the copulatory organ for penis during sexual intercourse and carries sperms to the uterus and fallopian tubules for fertilization (involved in sexual activity).
It act as birth canal through which the baby passes from the womb of mother (uterus) to outside mother’s body (child birth).
It also provides the passageway for menstrual flow from uterus to exit the body during menstruation (normal monthly bleeding cycle of females)

CLINICAL ASPECTS

Following are some problems that are associated with female vagina; involuntary tightening of the vagina due to its muscles conditioned reflex (vaginismus), cysts formation, vaginal tumors, toxic shock syndrome, vaginal dysplasia, infection of vagina (vaginitis) i.e. abnormal vaginal discharge, itching and burning sensation, commonly by yeast, Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia etc.

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