1-9.
FEMAL GENITAL SYSTEM
a. External Genitalia. The vulva and its parts make up the external genitalia.
The word vulva is a term that has been designated to stand for the external genitalia of
the female. See figure 1-10.
(1) Mons pubis. The elevated, fatty tissue covered with coarse pubic hair
and which lies over the symphysis pubis is the mons pubis. Pubic hair appears at
puberty. The function of the mons pubis is to protect the pelvic bone.
(2) Labia majora. The labia majora are large longitudinal folds of skin and
fatty tissue extending back from the mons pubis to the anus. The outer surfaces are
covered with hair. The inner surfaces are smooth and moist. The corresponding
structure in the male is the scrotum. The function is to protect the entrance to the
vagina.
(3) Labia minora. The labia minora is composed of two folds of skin lying
within the labia majora and enclosing the vestibule. In front, each labium minus
(minus is the singular form of minora) divides into two folds. The fold above the clitoris
is called the prepuce of the clitoris. The fold below is the frenulum. No pubic hair is on
these structures:
Figure 1-10. Female genital system.
MD0579
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