Female Sexual and Reproductive Organs

External Female Genitals

The external female genitals are: the mons pubis, the clitoris, the labia majora, and the labia minora. Together, along with the opening of the vagina, they are known as the vulva.

The mons pubis is a pad of fatty tissue over the pubic bone. This structure, which becomes covered with hair during puberty, protects the internal sexual and reproductive organs.

The clitoris is an erectile, hooded organ at the upper joining of the labia that contains a high concentration of nerve endings and is very sensitive to stimulation. The clitoris is the only anatomical organ whose sole function is providing sexual pleasure.

The labia majora are two spongy folds of skin, one on either side of the vaginal opening, that cover and protect the genital structures. The labia minora are the two erectile folds of skin between the labia majora that extend from the clitoris on both sides of the urethral and vaginal openings. (The area covered by the labia minora that includes the openings to the vagina and urethra, as well as the Bartholin’s and Skene’s glands, is called the vestibule.)

The perineum is a network of muscles located between and surrounding the vagina and the anus that support the pelvic cavity and help keep pelvic organs in place.

Internal Female Genitals

The internal female genitals are: the vagina, the cervix, the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries.

The vagina is a muscular, highly expandable, tubular cavity leading from the vestibule to the uterus. The vagina is the structure penetrated during vaginal intercourse, and it also serves as an exit channel for menstrual flow. During vaginal intercourse, contact with this structure provides sexual pleasure in some women. The anterior vaginal wall is more densely innervated and more highly sensitive to stimulation than the posterior vaginal wall.

The Bartholin’s glands are two small, round structures, one on either side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete a mucus-like fluid during sexual arousal, providing vaginal lubrication.

The Grafenberg spot, or G-spot, is a small area (about 1 to 2 cm) on the front wall of the vagina (closest to the bladder and urethra), about halfway between the pelvic bone and the cervix, that is especially sensitive to sexual stimulation in some women and may be the source of a small amount of fluid ejaculated at orgasm. If stimulated, this area becomes engorged. The G-spot has no known function for women except as a source of sexual stimulation. After stimulation of the G-spot, some women report temporary difficulty urinating, which may be due to the swelling that creates pressure on the urethra.

The cervix (the lower part of the uterus that protrudes into the vaginal canal) has an orifice that allows passage for menstrual flow from the uterus and passage of sperm into the uterus. During vaginal intercourse, contact with this structure may provide sexual pleasure in some women.

The uterus is a hollow, thick-walled, pear-shaped, muscular organ located between the bladder and rectum. It is the site for implantation of the fertilized ovum (egg), the location where the fetus develops during pregnancy, and the structure that sheds its lining monthly during menstruation. The upper portion of the uterus contracts during orgasm.

The fallopian tubes (oviducts) are a pair of tubes that extend from the upper uterus, extending out toward the ovaries (but not touching them), through which ova (eggs) travel from the ovaries toward the uterus and in which fertilization of the ovum takes place. The fallopian tubes contract during orgasm.

The ovaries are two organs located at the end of each fallopian tube, that produce ova (releasing one per month from puberty to menopause). The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, the hormones responsible for the development of sex characteristics. These hormones are also responsible for elasticity of the genitalia, integrity of the vaginal lining, and lubrication of the genitalia. Testosterone is also produced—although in smaller amounts than is produced in men—and is responsible for sexual desire.