Your body

Female Sexual Organs

Female sexual organs are both inside and outside your body. The vulva, which is made up of the clitoris, mons pubis, inner and outer lips, and the vaginal opening, is outside of the body. The shape and look of the vulva differs from one woman to the next.

Hymen: As fetuses, all females have a membrane that covers the opening to the vagina. Usually this membrane dissolves away before you are born leaving only a small rim around the opening to the vagina (the hymen). In some women, the membrane is only partially dissolved, and there is a partial blockage of the vaginal opening that may make it difficult to insert or remove tampons and may tear slightly to create sufficient space for the penis during the first attempt to have sexual intercourse.

Source: Purves et al. Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition. Reproduced with permission by Sinauer Associates.

Female Reproductive Organs (Close-up)

Side-view of female reproductive organs

female genitals (lying down)

 

Last Modified: January 16, 2008