Vagina – Tutorial
Please read Unit 13 – Introduction to Female Reproductive System Tissues prior to completing the activities in this chapter.
Introduction to the Vagina
The vagina is a flexible muscular tube that extends approximately 3-3.5 inches (7-9 cm) from the cervical region of the uterus to the outside of a woman’s body at the vestibule (urogenital sinus). The vagina runs parallel to both the urethra and the rectum, with the urethra lying anterior and the rectum directly posterior to the vagina. The vagina serves to receive the penis and ejaculated semen during sexual intercourse and acts as a passageway to allow fluid to exit the body during menstrual periods and a fetus to leave the body during delivery.
The lumen of the vagina is lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium which provides resistance to friction and acts as a protective barrier against invasion by microbes. The lamina propria of the vaginal mucosa is relatively thick and elastic which helps the vagina stretch without being damaged. Deep to the lamina propria is a relatively thick muscularis layer containing inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of smooth muscle. The proximal region of the vagina immediately adjacent to the cervix lies in the most inferior region of the abdominopelvic cavity and is surrounded by a serosa layer. The remainder of the distal vagina that runs adjacent to the urethra and rectum is surrounded by a connective tissue adventitia that attaches it to surrounding tissues.
Tutorial: Use the image slider below to learn more about the structure and characteristics of the vagina.
Microscopy: Use the image slider below to learn how to use a microscope to study the vagina on a microscope slide.
