The vagina
The vagina is a passageway that connects the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus, to the outside of the body. It is also known as the birth canal.
Diagram of the female reproductive system
Structure
The vagina is an elastic, muscular tube about 7.5–9 cm long. It is located in the pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The vagina extends from the cervix to the vulva (the outer part of a woman’s genitals).
There are 3 layers in the wall of the vagina:
- The inner layer is made up of squamous cells. It’s called the mucosa. It is also called the epithelium.
- The middle layer is made up of muscle tissue. It’s called the muscularis.
- The outer layer is made up of connective tissue. It’s called the adventitia.
The vagina has many nerves, blood and lymph vessels. Glands of the cervix and glands near the opening of the vagina secrete mucus to keep the mucosa moist.
The vaginal walls are usually collapsed and touch each other. The walls have many folds, which let the vagina expand during sex or the birth of a baby.
Function
The vagina has 3 main functions:
- provides a passageway for blood and mucosal tissue from the uterus during a woman’s monthly period
- receives the penis during sexual intercourse and holds the sperm until they pass into the uterus
- provides a passageway for childbirth