The vagina may also be referred to as the birth canal in the context of pregnancy and childbirth.
The term vagina is from Latin meaning "sheath" or " scabbard" the plural of vagina is either vaginae, or vaginas. 5.1 Perceptions, symbolism and vulgarity.By its dictionary and anatomical definitions, however, vagina refers exclusively to the specific internal structure, and understanding the distinction can improve knowledge of the female genitalia and aid in healthcare communication. In common speech, the word vagina is often used to refer to the vulva or to the female genitals in general. The vagina and vulva have evoked strong reactions in societies throughout history, including negative perceptions and language, cultural taboos, and their use as symbols for female sexuality, spirituality, or regeneration of life. Other health issues may also affect the human vagina. Along with pleasure and bonding, women's sexual behavior with others (which can include heterosexual or lesbian sexual activity) can result in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the risk of which can be reduced by recommended safe sex practices. The texture of the vaginal walls creates friction for the penis during sexual intercourse and stimulates it toward ejaculation, enabling fertilization. This increase in moisture provides vaginal lubrication, which reduces friction. To accommodate smoother penetration of the vagina during sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, vaginal moisture increases during sexual arousal in human females and other female mammals. In amphibians, birds, reptiles and monotremes, the cloaca is the single external opening for the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts. The vaginal opening is much larger than the nearby urethral opening, and both are protected by the labia in humans. This is different from male mammals, who usually have a single urethral opening for both urination and reproduction. Female mammals usually have two external openings in the vulva these are the urethral opening for the urinary tract and the vaginal opening for the genital tract. It also channels menstrual flow, which occurs in humans and closely related primates as part of the menstrual cycle.Īlthough research on the vagina is especially lacking for different animals, its location, structure and size are documented as varying among species. The vagina allows for sexual intercourse and birth. At the deep end, the cervix (neck of the uterus) bulges into the vagina. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract.
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