THE VAGINA - pediagenosis
Article Update
Loading...

Monday, February 15, 2021

THE VAGINA

THE VAGINA

The vagina (from Latin, literally “sheath” or “scabbard”) serves as the portal to the internal female reproductive tract and a route of egress for the fetus during delivery. The viscera contained within the female pelvis minor include the pelvic colon, urinary bladder and urethra, uterus, uterine tubes, ovaries, and vagina. These structures surround the vagina and interact with it in the clinical setting. Therefore, the vagina also provides a convenient portal to understanding the female pelvic viscera.

The vagina is a thin-walled, distensible, fibromuscular canal, covered by specialized epithelium, which extends from the vulva inward to the cervix and uterus. Under normal circumstances, the vagina is a potential space that is larger in the middle and upper thirds, giving it an inverted pear- or T-shape when viewed perpendicular to its long axis. The walls of the vagina are normally flattened in the anteroposterior diameter, giving the appearance of the letter H in cross section. In its distal extreme, the vagina opens to the vulva at the hymenal ring, opening at the caudal end of the vulva, behind the opening of the urethra. When upright, the vaginal tube points in an upward–backward direction with the axis of the upper portion of the vagina in close to the horizontal plane, curving toward the hollow of the sacrum. In most women, an angle of at least 90° is formed between the vagina and the uterus. The cervix is directed downward and backward to rest against the posterior vaginal wall. The spaces between the cervix and attachment of the vagina are called fornices, with the posterior fornix considerably larger than the anterior fornix.

THE VAGINA
Plate 7-1


Although there is wide variation, the length of the vagina is approximately 6 to 9 cm (2.5 to 3.5 in.) along the anterior wall and 8 to 12 cm (3 to 4.5 in.) along the posterior wall. During sexual arousal, the upper portion of the vagina elongates and widens through a relative upward movement of the uterus and cervix. This is thought to facilitate capture and retention of sperm to enhance the chance of conception.

Throughout most of its length, the vagina lies directly on top of the descending rectum, separated by the rectovaginal septum. The upper one-fourth of the vagina is separated from the rectum by the rectouterine pouch (posterior cul-de-sac). The urethra and base of the urinary bladder lie above the anterior vaginal wall separated by the thin layers of endopelvic fascia. As they enter the bladder, the ureters pass forward and medial-ward close to the lateral fornices.

The vagina is held in position by the surrounding endopelvic fascia and ligaments: The lower third of the vagina is surrounded and supported by the urogenital and pelvic diaphragms. The levator ani muscles and the lower portion of the cardinal ligaments support the middle third of the vagina, whereas portions of the cardinal ligaments and the parametria support the upper third.

The vagina is supplied by an extensive anastomotic network of vessels that surround its length. The vaginal artery originates either directly from the uterine artery or as a branch of the internal iliac artery arising posterior to the origin of the uterine and inferior vesical arteries. There is an anastomosis with the descending cervical branch of the uterine artery to form the azygos arteries. Branches of the internal pudendal, inferior vesical, and middle hemorrhoidal arteries also contribute to the interconnecting network from below. These can be a significant source of bleeding with obstetric lacerations. They are also important in the development of vaginal transudate during sexual arousal, when the vagina produces lubrication to aid in penetration.


Share with your friends

Give us your opinion

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Notification
This is just an example, you can fill it later with your own note.
Done