The external genitalia is the accessory structures of the female reproductive system that are external to the ******. They are also referred to as the vulva or pudendum. The external genitalia includes the ***** majora, mons pubis, ***** minora, ********, and glands within the vestibule.
The external genital organs include the mons pubis, ***** majora, ***** minora, Bartholin glands, and ********. The area containing these organs is called the vulva.
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The external genital organs have three main functions:
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Enabling sperm to enter the body
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Protecting the <a data-preview-itemid="6d8b77d9eb5c4f779282b857e565c26d" href="https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/female-internal-genital-organs">internal genital organs</a> from infectious organisms
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Providing sexual pleasure
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The mons pubis is a rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone. During <a data-preview-itemid="3c6136d2a6a64f3089975d890cade1bd" href="https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/puberty-in-girls">puberty</a>, it becomes covered with hair. The mons pubis contains oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands that release substances that are involved in sexual attraction (pheromones).
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The ***** majora (literally, large lips) are relatively large, fleshy folds of tissue that enclose and protect the other external genital organs. They are comparable to the ******* in males. The ***** majora contain sweat and sebaceous glands, which produce lubricating secretions. During puberty, hair appears on the ***** majora.
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The ***** minora (literally, small lips) can be very small or up to 2 inches wide. The ***** minora lie just inside the ***** majora and surround the openings to the ****** and urethra. A rich supply of blood vessels gives the ***** minora a pink colour. During sexual stimulation, these blood vessels become engorged with blood, causing the ***** minora to swell and become more sensitive to stimulation.
The area between the opening of the ****** and the ****, below the ***** majora, is called the perineum. It varies in length from almost 1 to more than 2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters).
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The ***** majora and the perineum are covered with skin similar to that on the rest of the body. In contrast, the ***** minora are lined with a mucous membrane, whose surface is kept moist by fluid secreted by specialized cells.
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The opening to the ****** is called the introitus. The vaginal opening is the entryway for the ***** during sexual intercourse and the exit for blood during menstruation and for the baby during birth.
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When stimulated, Bartholin glands (located beside the vaginal opening) secrete a thick fluid that supplies lubrication for intercourse.
The opening to the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to the outside, is located above and in front of the vaginal opening.
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The ********, located between the ***** minora at their upper end, is a small protrusion that corresponds to the ***** in the male. The ********, like the *****, is very sensitive to sexual stimulation and can become erect. Stimulating the ******** can result in an orgasm.
Meghna Thapar 4 years, 11 months ago
The external genitalia is the accessory structures of the female reproductive system that are external to the ******. They are also referred to as the vulva or pudendum. The external genitalia includes the ***** majora, mons pubis, ***** minora, ********, and glands within the vestibule.
The external genital organs include the mons pubis, ***** majora, ***** minora, Bartholin glands, and ********. The area containing these organs is called the vulva.
<a id="v27728086"></a>
The external genital organs have three main functions:
Enabling sperm to enter the body
Protecting the <a data-preview-itemid="6d8b77d9eb5c4f779282b857e565c26d" href="https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/female-internal-genital-organs">internal genital organs</a> from infectious organisms
Providing sexual pleasure
<a id="v801454"></a>
The mons pubis is a rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone. During <a data-preview-itemid="3c6136d2a6a64f3089975d890cade1bd" href="https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/puberty-in-girls">puberty</a>, it becomes covered with hair. The mons pubis contains oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands that release substances that are involved in sexual attraction (pheromones).
<a id="v8591415"></a>
The ***** majora (literally, large lips) are relatively large, fleshy folds of tissue that enclose and protect the other external genital organs. They are comparable to the ******* in males. The ***** majora contain sweat and sebaceous glands, which produce lubricating secretions. During puberty, hair appears on the ***** majora.
<a id="v801458"></a>
The ***** minora (literally, small lips) can be very small or up to 2 inches wide. The ***** minora lie just inside the ***** majora and surround the openings to the ****** and urethra. A rich supply of blood vessels gives the ***** minora a pink colour. During sexual stimulation, these blood vessels become engorged with blood, causing the ***** minora to swell and become more sensitive to stimulation.
The area between the opening of the ****** and the ****, below the ***** majora, is called the perineum. It varies in length from almost 1 to more than 2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters).
<a id="v801481"></a>
The ***** majora and the perineum are covered with skin similar to that on the rest of the body. In contrast, the ***** minora are lined with a mucous membrane, whose surface is kept moist by fluid secreted by specialized cells.
<a id="v801482"></a>
The opening to the ****** is called the introitus. The vaginal opening is the entryway for the ***** during sexual intercourse and the exit for blood during menstruation and for the baby during birth.
<a id="v27728090"></a>
When stimulated, Bartholin glands (located beside the vaginal opening) secrete a thick fluid that supplies lubrication for intercourse.
The opening to the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to the outside, is located above and in front of the vaginal opening.
<a id="v801486"></a>
The ********, located between the ***** minora at their upper end, is a small protrusion that corresponds to the ***** in the male. The ********, like the *****, is very sensitive to sexual stimulation and can become erect. Stimulating the ******** can result in an orgasm.
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