VAGINA
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The vagina is amuscular tube(canal) and it measures about 3 inches(8cm)long and has front and back walls ,which are normally in appositon.At its upper end the front wall is pierced by the cervix, which projects down ward and backward in to the vagina. The area of the vaginal lumen,which surrounds the cervix, is divided into four regions,or fornices(fold of muscle):front ,back ,right side ,and left side .The vaginal orifice in virgin possesses athin mucosal fold called the hymen(sign of virgin) that is perforated at its center.After childbirth the hymen usually consists only of tags.
RELATIONS
IN FRONT: The vagina is closely related to the bladder above and to the urethra below.
AT THE BACK: The upper third of vagina related to the rectouterine pouch(area between end of large intestine and uterus) and its middle third to the part of large intestine. The lower third is related to the outside body part, which separates it from the anal canal.
AT THE SIDE: In its upper part ,the vagina is related to the ureter,In its lower part the vagina is related to organ within pelvic(region below abdomen).
FUNCTION
The vagina is not only the female sex organ canal but also serves as removal tube for the menstrual flow and forms part of the birth canal.
BLOOD SUPPLY
vaginal artery:Abranch of the inside iliac artery, and the vaginal branch of the uterine artery.
VEINS: The vaginal veins form network around the vagina that drains into the inside iliac veins.
LYMPH DRAINAGE:The lymph vessels from the upper third of the vagina drain to the outsideand inside iliac nodes and from the lower third to the superficial inguinal nodes
