Organ
Vulva
Surface and erectile structures around the genital vestibule
High-yield
Ilioinguinal and genitofemoral branches contribute anteriorly; pudendal and posterior femoral cutaneous branches contribute more posteriorly. The dorsal clitoral nerve is a major sensory branch of the pudendal nerve.
Overview
The vulva includes the mons, labia, clitoral structures and vestibule around the urethral and vaginal openings. These surface features overlie a deeper erectile and glandular complex in the anterior perineum. Sensory input arrives through several lumbar and sacral nerves, with distributions that overlap rather than divide into two exact halves.
Reference facts
- Location
- The external genital region spans the anterior perineum from the mons toward the perineal body, surrounding the vestibule between the thighs.
- Parts
- Its features include mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris and prepuce, the vestibule with urethral and vaginal openings, variable hymenal tissue, and associated vestibular bulbs and vestibular or paraurethral glands.
- Blood supply
- External pudendal branches reach superficial anterior tissues, while internal pudendal branches supply much of the posterior labial and erectile complex; the networks communicate.
- Innervation
- Cutaneous supply includes ilioinguinal, genital genitofemoral, pudendal perineal and posterior femoral cutaneous branches. The dorsal clitoral nerve supplies much of the clitoral sensory field, with autonomic pathways serving erectile tissue.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Venous blood enters communicating external and internal pudendal pathways. Superficial inguinal lymphatic drainage predominates, while clitoral and deeper tissues have additional deep inguinal or pelvic connections; midline drainage may be bilateral.
- Relations
- Surface folds cover the anterior perineum, while bulbs, crura and glands occupy deeper tissues related to the superficial perineal compartment and membrane.
- Function
- The vulval tissues protect the genital and urethral openings and contribute sensation, lubrication and erectile responses during sexual activity.
Clinical correlation
Most superficial vulval lymph reaches inguinal nodes, making the groin important in vulval cancer assessment. Midline structures can drain to both sides, and deeper pathways also exist. Regional nerve overlap explains why the name of one nerve alone cannot establish the extent of sensation throughout the vulva.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the vulva located?
The external genital region spans the anterior perineum from the mons toward the perineal body, surrounding the vestibule between the thighs.
What does the vulva do?
The vulval tissues protect the genital and urethral openings and contribute sensation, lubrication and erectile responses during sexual activity.
What are the parts of the vulva?
Its features include mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris and prepuce, the vestibule with urethral and vaginal openings, variable hymenal tissue, and associated vestibular bulbs and vestibular or paraurethral glands.
What is the blood supply of the vulva?
External pudendal branches reach superficial anterior tissues, while internal pudendal branches supply much of the posterior labial and erectile complex; the networks communicate.