an adventitial (fibrous) layer, providing additional strength and structural support to the vagina, merging with the bladder (anteriorly) and rectum (posteriorly), a b Pillitteri A (2013). Maternal and Child Health Nursing: Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p.298. ISBN 978-1-4698-3322-4. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019 . Retrieved January 3, 2018.

Female anatomy: Vulva, vagina, and breasts explained — Flo

Blood is supplied to the vagina mainly via the vaginal artery, which emerges from a branch of the internal iliac artery or the uterine artery. [9] [46] The vaginal arteries anastamose (are joined) along the side of the vagina with the cervical branch of the uterine artery; this forms the azygos artery, [46] which lies on the midline of the anterior and posterior vagina. [15] Other arteries which supply the vagina include the middle rectal artery and the internal pudendal artery, [10] all branches of the internal iliac artery. [15] Three groups of lymphatic vessels accompany these arteries; the upper group accompanies the vaginal branches of the uterine artery; a middle group accompanies the vaginal arteries; and the lower group, draining lymph from the area outside the hymen, drain to the inguinal lymph nodes. [15] [47] Ninety-five percent of the lymphatic channels of the vagina are within 3mm of the surface of the vagina. [48]a mucosal layer composed of stratified squamous, non-keratinizing epithelium. This type of epithelial lining maintains the moisture of the vaginal canal and protects it from infection. While the vagina itself does not have any secretory glands, its surface is moistened by cervical secretions. Emans SJ (2000). "Physical Examination of the Child and Adolescent". Evaluation of the Sexually Abused Child: A Medical Textbook and Photographic Atlas (2nded.). Oxford University Press. pp.61–65. ISBN 978-0-19-974782-5. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019 . Retrieved August 2, 2015. Orshan SA (2008). Maternity, Newborn, and Women's Health Nursing: Comprehensive Care Across the Lifespan. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 585–586. ISBN 978-0-7817-4254-2. Nevid J, Rathus S, Rubenstein H (1998). Health in the New Millennium: The Smart Electronic Edition (S.E.E.). Macmillan. p.297. ISBN 978-1-57259-171-4. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021 . Retrieved October 27, 2015. Pleasure can be derived from the vagina in a variety of ways. In addition to penile penetration, pleasure can come from masturbation, fingering, oral sex ( cunnilingus), or specific sex positions (such as the missionary position or the spoons sex position). [68] Heterosexual couples may engage in cunnilingus or fingering as forms of foreplay to incite sexual arousal or as accompanying acts, [69] [70] or as a type of birth control, or to preserve virginity. [71] [72] Less commonly, they may use non penile-vaginal sexual acts as a primary means of sexual pleasure. [70] In contrast, lesbians and other women who have sex with women commonly engage in cunnilingus or fingering as main forms of sexual activity. [73] [74] Some women and couples use sex toys, such as a vibrator or dildo, for vaginal pleasure. [75] The Kama Sutra– an ancient Hindu text written by Vātsyāyana, which includes a number of sexual positions– may also be used to increase sexual pleasure, [76] with special emphasis on female sexual satisfaction. [77]

Photographer Laura Dodsworth shows what vulvas look like in Photographer Laura Dodsworth shows what vulvas look like in

Carroll J (2012). Discovery Series: Human Sexuality. Cengage Learning. pp.282–289. ISBN 978-1-111-84189-8. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016 . Retrieved October 27, 2015.a b Greenberg JS, Bruess CE, Conklin SC (2010). Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p.126. ISBN 978-981-4516-78-5. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016 . Retrieved October 27, 2015. Waugh, A., Grant, A. and Ross, J.S. (2018) Ross & Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 13th edn. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster. a b Linnard-Palmer, Luanne; Coats, Gloria (2017). Safe Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Care. F. A. Davis Company. p.108. ISBN 978-0-8036-2494-8. a b c d e f g Snell RS (2004). Clinical Anatomy: An Illustrated Review with Questions and Explanations. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p.98. ISBN 978-0-7817-4316-7. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021 . Retrieved October 27, 2015.

Types of vagina: Shapes, sizes, colors, and more

Vaginectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the vagina, and is usually used to treat malignancy. [171] Removal of some or all of the reproductive organs and genitalia can result in damage to the nerves and leave behind scarring or adhesions. [176] Sexual function may also be impaired as a result, as in the case of some cervical cancer surgeries. These surgeries can impact pain, elasticity, vaginal lubrication and sexual arousal. This often resolves after one year but may take longer. [176] After menopause, the body produces less estrogen. This causes atrophic vaginitis (thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls), [38] [149] which can lead to vaginal itching, burning, bleeding, soreness, or vaginal dryness (a decrease in lubrication). [150] Vaginal dryness can cause discomfort on its own or discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse. [150] [151] Hot flashes are also characteristic of menopause. [117] [152] Menopause also affects the composition of vaginal support structures. The vascular structures become fewer with advancing age. [153] Specific collagens become altered in composition and ratios. It is thought that the weakening of the support structures of the vagina is due to the physiological changes in this connective tissue. [154] Practicing safe sex is crucial to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Learn more. READ MOREDuring an episiotomy, a surgical incision is made during the second stage of labor to enlarge the vaginal opening for the baby to pass through. [44] [141] Although its routine use is no longer recommended, [172] and not having an episiotomy is found to have better results than an episiotomy, [44] it is one of the most common medical procedures performed on women. The incision is made through the skin, vaginal epithelium, subcutaneous fat, perineal body and superficial transverse perineal muscle and extends from the vagina to the anus. [173] [174] Episiotomies can be painful after delivery. Women often report pain during sexual intercourse up to three months after laceration repair or an episiotomy. [169] [170] Some surgical techniques result in less pain than others. [169] The two types of episiotomies performed are the medial incision and the medio-lateral incision. The median incision is a perpendicular cut between the vagina and the anus and is the most common. [44] [175] The medio-lateral incision is made between the vagina at an angle and is not as likely to tear through to the anus. The medio-lateral cut takes more time to heal than the median cut. [44] If you’re adding anal sex to your repertoire of pleasure, safety needs to be a priority. Good news: You can be safe without sacrificing satisfaction… READ MORE Most people use their fingers to play with their clitoris, but vibrators and other toys can also bring pleasure during solo play. When you orgasm, you’ll feel a tingly sensation along your skin and in your brain. Levin RJ. (2006). Sexual activity, health and well-being — the beneficial roles of coitus and masturbation. DOI:

Vagina: Location, anatomy, parts, histology and function | Kenhub Vagina: Location, anatomy, parts, histology and function | Kenhub

See also: Vaginal support structures Pelvic anatomy including organs of the female reproductive system Ransons A (May 15, 2009). "Reproductive Choices". Health and Wellness for Life. Human Kinetics 10%. p.221. ISBN 978-0-7360-6850-5. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016 . Retrieved October 27, 2015. As women get older, or if there weakened pelvic muscles from trauma or childbirth, vaginal prolapse can occur. Vaginal prolapse, or vaginal vault prolapse, is characterized by a part of the vaginal canal protruding (prolapsing) from the opening of the vagina. In the case of a prolapse due to childbirth, the rectum, uterus, or bladder pushes on the vagina. Severe cases result in the vagina protruding out of the body. Drake R, Vogl AW, Mitchell A (2016). Gray's Basic Anatomy E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p.246. ISBN 978-0-323-50850-6. Archived from the original on June 4, 2021 . Retrieved May 25, 2018. Brewster S, Bhattacharya S, Davies J, Meredith S, Preston P (2011). The Pregnant Body Book. Penguin. pp.66–67. ISBN 978-0-7566-8712-0. Archived from the original on May 15, 2015 . Retrieved March 4, 2015.

Sources

If you’re new to solo play, that’s OK, too. There’s no right or wrong way to masturbate, so take the time to discover your body. The smooth muscular layer within the vagina has a weak contractive force that can create some pressure in the lumen of the vagina; much stronger contractive force, such as during childbirth, comes from muscles in the pelvic floor that are attached to the adventitia around the vagina. [34] A sexy solo session doesn’t have to exclude foreplay. Instead of jumping right into touching yourself, why not set off slowly and get your other senses tingling? If you’re into the written word Silverthorn DU (2013). Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (6thed.). Glenview, IL: Pearson Education. pp.850–890. ISBN 978-0-321-75007-5.