External Genitalia

The following are features of the external genitalia:

1. Labia Majora

   • The labia majora are two folds of hairy skin with underlying fat pads.

2. Labia Minora

   • The labia minora are two folds of hairless skin located medial to the labia majora that enclose the vestibule of the vagina

   • Each labium minus is continuous anteriorly with the prepuce of the clitoris and the frenulum of the clitoris

   • Each labium minus is continuous posteriorly with the fourchetter, which connects the labia minora with the vaginal introitus (entry)

3. Vestibule of the Vagina

   • The vestibule of the vagina is the space between the labia minora

   • The vestibule contains the urethral orifice; paraurethral glands (of Skene); vaginal introitus (entry) incompletely covered by the hymen; greater vestibular glands (of Bartholin); and lesser vestibular glands

4. Clitoris

   • Although the clitoris is homologous with the penis, the clitoris has no corpus spongiosum and does not transmit the urethra

   • The body of the clitoris is formed by two corpora cavernosa, which are continuous with the crura of the clitoris

   • The glans of the clitoris is formed by the fusion of the vestibular bulbs.