Human Anatomy and Physiology Textbook

28 ANATOMY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM A EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS VULVA

• The term vulva (VUL-va to wrap around), or pudendum (pu¯-DEN-dum), refers to the external genitals of the female. 
• The following components comprise the vulva:

• (MONZ PU¯ -bis; mons mountain), 
• an elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin and coarse pubic hair that cushions the pubic symphysis.

• Forms the outer border of the vulva.
• (LA¯ -be¯-a ma-JO¯ -ra; labia lips; majora larger), 
• The singular term is labium majus. 

• The labia majora are covered by pubic hair

• and contain an abundance of 

• adipose tissue, 
• sebaceous (oil) glands, and
•  apocrine sudoriferous (sweat) glands. 

• They are homologous to the scrotum.

• (mı¯-NO¯ -ra; minora smaller). 
• The singular term is labium minus. 
• Unlike the labia majora, the labia minora are devoid of pubic hair and fat 
• and have few sudoriferous glands, 
• but they do contain many sebaceous glands. 

• The labia minora are homologous to the spongy (penile) urethra.

• composed of two small erectile bodies, the corpora cavernosa,
• and numerous nerves and blood vessels. 
• The clitoris is located at the anterior junction of the labia minora. 

• A layer of skin called the prepuce of the clitoris is formed at the point where the labia minora unite and covers the body of the clitoris. 

• The exposed portion of the clitoris is the glans clitoris. 

• The clitoris is homologous to the glans penis in males. 
• Like the male structure, the clitoris is capable of enlargement upon tactile stimulation 
• and has a role in sexual excitement in the female.

• Within the vestibule are 

• the hymen (if still  present), 
• the vaginal orifice,
• the external urethral orifice, and 
• the openings of the ducts of several glands. 

• The vestibule is homologous to the membranous urethra of males. 

• The vaginal orifice, the opening of the vagina to the exterior, occupies the greater portion of the vestibule 
• and is bordered by the hymen. 

• Anterior to the vaginal orifice and posterior to the clitoris is the external urethral orifice,

• On either side of the external urethral orifice are the openings of the ducts of the paraurethral (Skene’s) glands. 
• These mucus-secreting glands are embedded in the wall of the urethra.

• The paraurethral glands are homologous to the prostate.

• On either side of the vaginal orifice itself are the greater vestibular (Bartholin’s) glands ,

• They produce a small quantity of mucus during sexual arousal and intercourse that adds to cervical mucus and
• provides lubrication.  

• The greater vestibular glands are homologous to the bulbourethral glands in males. 

• Several lesser vestibular glands also open into the vestibule.

• consists of two elongated masses of erectile tissue just deep to the labia on either side of the vaginal orifice. 
• The bulb of the vestibule 

• The bulb of the vestibule is homologous to the corpus spongiosum and bulb of the penis in males.

•  (per -i-NE¯ -um) 
• is the diamond-shaped area medial to the thighs and buttocks of both males and females . 

• It contains the external genitals and anus. 

•  anteriorly by the pubic symphysis,
•  posteriorly by the coccyx and 
• .laterally by the ischial tuberosities

• A transverse line drawn between the ischial tuberosities divides the perineum into 

•  The mammary glands are considered part of 

• Each breast is a hemispheric projection of variable size 
• anterior to the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles and 
• attached to them by a layer of fascia composed of dense irregular connective tissue.

• Each breast has one pigmented projection, the nipple, 
• that has a series of closely spaced openings of ducts called lactiferous ducts, where milk emerges. 

• The circular pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple is called the areola (a-RE¯ - o¯ -la small space); 
• it appears rough because it contains modified sebaceous (oil) glands.

•  Strands of connective tissue called the suspensory ligaments of the breast (Cooper’s ligaments) 
• run between the skin and fascia 
• and support the breast. 
• These ligaments become looser with age or with the excessive strain that can occur in long-term jogging or high-impact aerobics.
• Wearing a supportive bra can slow this process and help maintain the strength of the suspensory ligaments.

• Within each breast is a mammary gland,
•  a modified sudoriferous (sweat) gland that produces milk  
• A mammary gland consists of 15 to 20 lobes, or compartments, 
• separated by a variable amount of adipose tissue. 

• In each lobe are several smaller compartments called lobules, 
• composed of grapelike clusters of milk-secreting glands termed alveoli( small cavities) 
• embedded in connective tissue. 
• Contraction of myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli helps propel milk toward the nipples. 

• When milk is being produced, it passes from the alveoli into a series of secondary tubules and then into the mammary ducts. 
• Near the nipple, the mammary ducts expand to form sinuses called lactiferous sinuses (lact- milk), where
• some milk may be stored before draining into a lactiferous duct.

• Each lactiferous duct typically carries milk from one of the lobes to the exterior

• Milk production is stimulated largely

Posted by darew at 6:45 AM

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Labels: 28, a, anatomy, external, female, of, organs, reproductive, system, vulva