In Other Words: What are the parts below my belly button?
There are owner's manuals for cars, bikes, computers, and tons of information on every other part of your body, yet very little information about the parts below the belly button. What are they really? Sometimes we refer to them as "our privates," "down there," or "our vaja-ja," but all the parts down there really do have their own specific names.
The External or Outside Reproductive Organs
If you were to stand in front of the mirror, your reproductive organs on the inside would be a little below your belly button. Now as you move down, you will begin to see the beginning of the vulva. The vulva (also known as the coochie, muff, box, or beaver in slang) is the name for all of the external female genitalia. The vulva starts at the mons (the fatty area of skin below the lower abdomen, where pubic hair is) and continues to form the labia majora (outer lips).
The “Lips”:
The labia majora looks different on everyone; no two look the same. Right inside the labia majora are the labia minora (inner lips). These are different for everyone too: some women’s labia minora peek out even when the legs are closed and some women’s are not seen at all unless the legs are open. Also, it is important to remember that the labia minora are also different colors from pink to red to brown. The inner labia work to keep out bacteria and they are connected to the clitoral hood so they play a part in genital stimulation and arousal.
The Clitoris:
Just inside the labia minora you will find the clitoris. The clitoris is made up of more than just a little knob. There is the shaft which goes into the body from the small pea size that can be seen between the labia minora. There are also tons of nerve endings, veins, and muscles that work to make the clitoris able to do its job. The clitoris is usually the most sensitive spot on the vulva and its primary purpose is for sexual pleasure.
Moving on Down:
Moving down from the clitoris, you come to a little slit, that is the urethral opening. A woman urinates (pees) from this opening. Below the urethral opening comes the vaginal opening which is the opening to the vagina. The vaginal opening may or may not have a hymen (a piece of skin that covers the vaginal opening partially or sometimes completely). This piece of skin usually wears away as a girl grows up, especially during puberty and because of increased activity as one gets older. Next we move to the perineum, which is an area of skin between the end of the labia majora.
The Vagina:
This is the tube or canal between the external and internal reproductive system which include the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. This is where vaginal play and intercourse take place and where an infant passes through during a vaginal childbirth. The vaginal canal is about 3 to 5 inches long and is different for every woman. Lubrication during sexual arousal comes from the Bartholin’s glands which are right inside the vaginal opening. The vagina is a pretty cool thing: it is muscular and flexible and can hold things such as a tampon, finger, or penis pretty tightly. The canal is curved, not straight, sort of like a U.
The Cervix:
The cervix is at the end of the vaginal canal (keep in mind, the vaginal canal is only 3 to 5 inches long, not a deep dark cavernous hole without end). The cervix is round and has an opening in the middle called the Os. The cervix sort of feels like the tip of cartilage on the end of your nose. The cervix is the passage way from the uterus to the vagina.
The Uterus:
The uterus, also sometimes called the womb, looks like an upside down pear. This is where a fetus develops and grows during pregnancy. Also, during the menstrual cycle (period), the lining of the uterus builds up and prepares for a fertilized egg. This lining build up is what is shed each cycle when a woman does not become pregnant and has her period.
The Fallopian Tubes:
Fallopian Tubes are on either side of the uterus. Eggs use the tubes to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
The Ovaries:
This is where eggs are stored until they are released, usually one at a time during each menstrual cycle. The ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovulation is when an egg leaves the ovaries and heads down the fallopian tubes.
For interactive diagrams of the internal reproductive organs click here.
