Understanding your lady parts

The female anatomy often remains a mystery – even to us women 🥲

Our science textbooks and those hurried-through lectures in 7th grade might not have helped but hopefully, this article does :) 

Think of this article as a quick personal dictionary to your lady parts! 📖

Female anatomy includes both external genitals, known as the vulva, and internal reproductive organs like the ovaries and uterus. 

Interestingly, despite physical differences, all sex organs originate from the same group of cells during foetal (AKA fetal) development, with a baby’s biological sex determined at conception! 

So first, we’ll break down the external anatomy 🌸

The external female anatomy comprises the pubis and the vulva.

1. Mons Pubis: The mons pubis, or pubic mound, is the fleshy area on the pelvic bone– Basically, where your pubic hair typically grows! 

2. Vulva: The vulva (which most of us have wrongly been calling vagina) includes several parts:

👉🏼Labia Majora: The fleshy outer lips on either side of the vaginal opening, usually covered with pubic hair

👉🏼Labia Minora: The inner lips situated inside the outer lips, varying in size and sometimes extending beyond the outer lips

👉🏼Clitoris: The tiny button-like fleshy part, is located where the inner lips meet, at the top. It varies in size from person to person. While only the tip is visible, it has two shafts extending inside the body up to 5 inches! It contains millions of nerve endings, which explains why it works like magic when you’re gunning for an orgasm! 

👉🏼Clitoral Hood: The fold of skin surrounding the head of the clitoris, protecting it from friction.

🌱Now, the Internal Anatomy

Here comes your reproductive organs – we’ll make it super easy, promise. 

1. Vagina

Most women refer to their vulva as ‘vagina’ but the vagina is a canal connecting the vulva to the uterus. It averages 2.5 to 3 inches in length but expands during arousal. Glands located on either side of the vaginal opening, secrete lubrication to keep the vaginal tissues moist 💦

2. Cervix

The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus, a cylindrical tissue separating the vagina from the rest of the uterus. It dilates during childbirth to allow the baby to pass through the vagina😯

 

3. Uterus

The uterus, located in the middle of the pelvic cavity, is a muscular sac that houses the foetus during pregnancy. During the menstrual cycle, its lining thickens with blood in preparation for a fertilised egg. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining sheds, resulting in your period! 🩸

4. Fallopian Tubes

The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. Eggs released from the ovaries travel down these tubes toward the uterus for potential fertilisation. An ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilised egg implants in the fallopian tube, is a medical emergency due to the risk of tube rupture ❗

 

5. Ovaries

The ovaries, egg-shaped organs about the size of almonds, are attached to the fallopian tubes on either side of the body. Most females have two ovaries that produce eggs and 2 suuuper important hormones – estrogen and progesterone. 🫧 (Check out  our guide on hormones!)

That’s it, folks! 🥳

The female anatomy is an amazing symphony of various organs working together for sexual function, reproduction, and hormone regulation. The shape and size of these organs vary naturally among women &  each body might function slightly differently, maintaining regular exercise, diet and regular visits to the gynac are key to keeping your lady bits healthy and happy! 🍉

Sources:

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/sexual-and-reproductive-anatomy/what-are-parts-female-sexual-anatomy

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326898#breasts