Organ
Vagina
A distensible muscular passage with surrounding fornices
High-yield
The upper vagina receives visceral pathways through the pelvic autonomic plexus, while pudendal branches contribute especially to the lower region. These distributions do not establish a sharp boundary between painful and painless tissue.
Overview
The vagina connects the cervix to the vestibule through the pelvic floor. Its walls usually rest against one another, while the upper end forms recesses around the projecting cervix, including a deeper posterior fornix. The lining is nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium over connective tissue and muscle; lubrication relies on transudation and secretions from elsewhere in the tract.
Reference facts
- Location
- It runs from the cervix downward and forward to the vestibular opening, between urinary structures anteriorly and rectal or perineal structures posteriorly.
- Parts
- The upper vault forms anterior, posterior and paired lateral fornices. The body narrows toward the introitus, where hymenal tissue varies greatly in shape and extent.
- Blood supply
- Vaginal and descending uterine branches provide much of the supply, with contributions from other pelvic arteries including internal pudendal and middle rectal branches.
- Innervation
- Pelvic autonomic and visceral sensory pathways serve the upper region. Pudendal somatic branches are prominent lower down, with overlapping distributions rather than a simple sensory cutoff.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Vaginal veins communicate with pelvic plexuses before reaching internal iliac veins. Upper drainage is mainly pelvic iliac; the lower third can drain to inguinal nodes, with overlap between territories.
- Relations
- The bladder and urethra lie against the anterior wall. Posteriorly are the rectouterine pouch, rectum and perineal body at successive levels; ureters pass near the upper lateral vaginal region.
- Function
- The canal permits menstrual outflow, participates in sexual activity and forms part of the birth passage. Hormones, epithelial glycogen and resident microbes influence its environment, which is often acidic during reproductive life.
Clinical correlation
The posterior fornix is close to the rectouterine pouch, explaining its importance in pelvic imaging and disease spread. Upper vaginal lymph generally reaches pelvic nodes, while lower vaginal lymph can reach inguinal nodes. Hymenal appearance cannot establish whether a person has had vaginal intercourse.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the vagina located?
It runs from the cervix downward and forward to the vestibular opening, between urinary structures anteriorly and rectal or perineal structures posteriorly.
What does the vagina do?
The canal permits menstrual outflow, participates in sexual activity and forms part of the birth passage. Hormones, epithelial glycogen and resident microbes influence its environment, which is often acidic during reproductive life.
What are the parts of the vagina?
The upper vault forms anterior, posterior and paired lateral fornices. The body narrows toward the introitus, where hymenal tissue varies greatly in shape and extent.
What is the blood supply of the vagina?
Vaginal and descending uterine branches provide much of the supply, with contributions from other pelvic arteries including internal pudendal and middle rectal branches.