Sexual Health
Female sexual anatomy
There are certain body parts that are associated with sexual activity. While these areas may be focus of physical attention, probably the largest and most sensitive sexual organ is the human brain. While below we describe the active “parts,” we must always consider the “whole” person when understanding sexuality and sexual health.
The following is a brief definition of common sexual anatomy in the female.
The external female genital area is known as the vulva. It includes the:
- mons pubis - a pad of fatty tissue that covers the area of the pubic bone and is covered with pubic hair.
- clitoris - a center for sexual arousal in the female.
- labia majora - two folds of skin extending from the mons pubis and protecting the external genitals.
- labia minora – smaller and smoother skin folds that meet above the clitoris.
The internal female reproductive organs include:
- the vagina - a flexible muscular body cavity that leads from the outside of a woman’s body to the cervix.
- the uterus - a hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ. The lining of the uterine walls, the endometrium, is built up, then shed and expelled through the cervical os (opening) during menstruation.
- the cervix - the tapered end of the uterus, extends downward and opens into the vagina.
- the fallopian tubes – these uterine tubes are at the top of the uterus, and extend toward the ovaries but are not attached to them. The funnel-shaped end of each tube fans out over the ovary.
- the ovaries - on each side of the uterus is one of a pair of ovaries, they are responsible for producing follicles (eggs).
