vagina

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vagina:

see reproductive systemreproductive system,
in animals, the anatomical organs concerned with production of offspring. In humans and other mammals the female reproductive system produces the female reproductive cells (the eggs, or ova) and contains an organ in which development of the fetus takes
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Vagina

in biology.

(1) A sheath of various animal and plant organs—for ex-ample, the vagina of a tendon, of a nerve fiber, and of the notochord in certain fishes (Holocephali, Dipnoi, and Acipenseridae). The vagina of a leaf is the lower part of a leaf widened in the form of a canal and slightly (in the Umbelliferae) or greatly (in the grasses) extended to embrace the stem. The vagina protects the bud contained in the axil. In grasses, the vagina is a delicate extension of the base of the internode of the stem. In bananas, the vaginae of the leaves overlap one another to form a false high stem. In many plants the lower leaves, and in some plants all the leaves, are reduced and consist of a single vagina. Vagina is also the name given to the small saclike sheath or edging at the base of the stem of certain hymenomycetous fungi (fly agaric and death cup); it is the vestige of the so-called general spathe that surrounds the fruiting body of a young fungus and later ruptures. The presence (or absence) and the shape of both types of vagina is a regular characteristic used in classifying plants.

(2) The invagination of the skin in animals that serves as a receptacle of some organs is also called a vagina—for example, the vagina of a feather, of a hair, and of the tongue in snakes.

(3) The terminus of the genital canal in female mammals (marsupial and placental) that is used in sexual intercourse and for the emergence of the fetus. In some invertebrates (in several flatworms), the vagina is in the form of a tubelike twisting of the skin with one end opening to the outside and the other end facing the parenchyma. In tsetse flies, larvae develop in the dilated vagina. In mammals the vagina developed from the lower portion of the oviduct. It is paired in marsupials; in placental animals the oviducts merge to form a single vagina. The vagina changes further down into a shortened urogenital sinus which in female mammals forms the vestibule of the vagina. In marsupials, ungulates, rodents, lemurs, and primates, the hymen is situated between the vagina and the vestibule of the vagina.

(4) A muscular, distensible tube situated in the lesser pelvis of a woman between the urinary bladder and urethra in front and the rectum in back. In an adult, the vagina is approximately 7-8 cm in length along the anterior wall and 1.5-2 cm longer along the posterior wall. The direction of the vagina corresponds to the slope of the pelvis and forms a 100-110° angle with the corpus uteri. Entry into the vagina in virgins is blocked by the hymen. The vaginal wall consists of epithelial, muscular, and connective-tissue layers. It is lined with a mucous membrane that forms transverse folds and longitudinal ridges that diminish with age. These folds make it possible for the vagina to stretch considerably (for example, during birth as the fetus passes through). The vagina contains a small quantity (about 1 ml) of fluid, which is formed from blood serum seeping from the vascular walls and glandular discharges in the canal of the cervix uteri. The presence of lactic acid in this fluid makes it bactericidal. The vagina is the terminus of the genital conduction paths.

V. V. KUPRIANOV

vagina

[və′jī·nə] (anatomy) The canal from the vulvar opening to the cervix uteri.

vagina

The upper part of the pedestal of a terminus, from which the bust or figure seems to arise.

vagina

1. the moist canal in most female mammals, including humans, that extends from the cervix of the uterus to an external opening between the labia minora 2. Anatomy biology any sheath or sheathlike structure, such as a leaf base that encloses a stem

vagina

Note: This page may contain terms or definitions that are offensive or inappropriate for some readers.

vagina

[vah-ji´nah] (pl. vagi´nae) 1. any sheath" >sheath or sheathlike structure.2. the canal in the female that extends from the external genitalia (vulva) to the cervix uteri. The adult vagina is normally about 8 cm (3 in) long and slopes upward and backward. Internally, the bladder is in front of the vagina and the rectum in back. The vagina receives the erect penis in coitus; spermatozoa are discharged into it, swim through the cervical canal, and enter the uterus. The vagina is also the passage for menstrual discharge, and it functions as the birth canal.

The interior lining of the vagina is mucous membrane; muscles and fibrous tissue form its walls. In pregnancy, changes occur in these tissues, enabling the vagina to stretch to many times its usual size during labor and childbirth. In a virgin, the opening of the vagina is usually, but not necessarily, partially closed by a membrane, the hymen. Usually the hymen breaks at first intercourse; occasionally it ruptures during physical exercise.
In a normal state, the lining of the vagina secretes a fluid that is fermented to an acid by the bacteria that are usually present. This acidity probably helps to protect the vagina from invasion by other organisms. Douching as a regular practice should not be employed except when recommended by a health care provider.Vaginal Examination. Since cancer of the female reproductive organs is a relatively common occurrence and is curable if detected early, physicians recommend that women of reproductive age and beyond have a periodic vaginal or pelvic examination. Such an examination is also necessary during pregnancy and labor and in the postpartum examination 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth. This is a simple procedure that is rarely uncomfortable if the woman understands its purpose.

The patient lies on her back on a special table with her legs raised and spread by stirrups. The examiner inserts a speculum to spread the vagina open and thus is able to observe the cervix and the lining of the vagina directly, and may take smears for microscopic examination to detect infection or cancer of the vagina or cervix. (See also papanicolaou test.)
After removing the speculum the examiner inserts rubber-gloved fingers into the vagina and places the other hand on the abdomen. In this way it is possible to palpate the female reproductive organs, including the uterus and ovaries, between the hands. These organs are otherwise difficult or impossible to examine.Patient Care. The patient should be prepared physically and emotionally for a vaginal examination. Since relaxation and cooperation of the patient are important to the success of the examination, she should be given a brief explanation of the procedure and encouraged to ask questions before the procedure is begun. The patient is draped with a top sheet so that the legs are covered and only the vulva is exposed. Privacy must be assured immediately before and during the examination. Equipment such as gloves, lubricant, vaginal speculum, and supplies needed for collecting specimens should be assembled before the examination is begun. After the examination is completed, the patient is assisted from the table.

Ideally, a vaginal examination should be done between menstrual periods; however, vaginal bleeding is not a contraindication to this procedure. Patients should be told this so that they will not postpone an appointment for examination when vaginal bleeding persists. They should not take over the counter medications or douche immediately before a vaginal examination; douching might remove secretions that could be useful in diagnosis.

Vaginal examination. From Jarvis, 2000.

va·gi·na

, gen. and pl.

va·gi·nae

(vă-jī'nă, -nē), Avoid the colloquial and jargonistic use of this word as a synonym of vulva.1. Synonym(s): sheath (1) 2. The part of the genital canal in the female, extending between the cervix of the uterus and the vestibule; it is an organ of copulation that receives the penis during sexual intercourse. [L. sheath, the vagina]

vagina

(və-jī′nə)n. pl. vagi·nas or vagi·nae (-nē) 1. Anatomy a. The passage leading from the opening of the vulva to the cervix of the uterus in female mammals.b. A similar part in some invertebrates.2. Biology Any of various sheathlike structures.

vagina

The canal that extends from the labia and opening of the vagina to the uterine cervix.

menopause

Change of life, climacteric, 'time of life' Gynecology The cessation of menstrual activity due to failure to form ovarian follicles, which normally occurs age 45–50 Clinical Menstrual irregularity, vasomotor instability, 'hot flashes', irritability or psychosis, ↑ weight, painful breasts, dyspareunia, ↑/↓ libido, atrophy of urogenital epithelium and skin, ASHD, MI, strokes and osteoporosis–which can be lessened by HRT. See Estrogen replacement therapy, Hot flashes, Male menopause, Premature ovarian failure, Premature menopause. Cf Menarche. Menopause–”…what a drag it is getting old.” Jagger, Richards Bladder Cystourethritis, frequency/urgency, stress incontinence Breasts ↓ Size, softer consistency, sagging Cardiovascular Angina, ASHD, CAD Endocrine Hot flashes Mucocutaneous Atrophy, dryness, pruritus, facial hirsutism, dry mouth Neurologic Psychological, sleep disturbances Pelvic floor Uterovaginal prolapse Skeleton Osteoporosis, fractures, low back pain Vagina Bloody discharge, dyspareunia, vaginitis Vocal cords Deepened voice Vulva Atrophy, dystrophy, pruritus

va·gi·na

, pl. vaginae (vă-jī'nă, -nē) [TA] 1. [TA]
Synonym(s): sheath (1) . 2. [TA] The genital canal in the female, extending from the uterus to the vulva. [L. sheath, the vagina]

vagina

(va-ji'na) plural.vaginae, vaginas [L., sheath]

VAGINA AND OTHER FEMALE ORGANSA musculomembranous tube that forms the passageway between the cervix uteri and the vulva. See: illustration

Anatomy

In the uppermost part, the cervix divides the vagina into four small vaulted cavities, called fornices: two lateral, the anterior, and the posterior. The bladder and urethra are adjacent to the anterior wall of the vagina, and the rectum is behind the posterior wall. The cavity of the vagina is a potential space; the walls are usually in contact with each other. Close to the cervix uteri the walls form a horizontal crescent shape, at the midpoint an H shape, and close to the vulva the shape of a vertical slit. The vaginal mucosa is stratified squamous epithelium that is very resistant to bacterial colonization. This lining is in folds called rugae, and the connective tissue external to it also permits stretching. The blood supply of the vagina is furnished from the inferior vesical, inferior hemorrhoidal, and uterine arteries. Except for the area close to the entrance, the vaginal tissue and mucosa contain few, if any, sensory nerve endings. The vagina is a passage for the insertion of the penis, for the reception of semen, and for the discharge of the menstrual flow. It also serves as the birth canal.

artificial vagina

A vagina constructed by plastic surgery for a patient whose vagina was removed for treatment of carcinoma or one who has congenital absence of the vagina.

bulb of vagina

The small erectile body on each side of the vestibule of the vagina. See: vestibule of vagina

vagina fibrosa tendinis

A fibrous sheath surrounding a tendon that usually confines it to an osseous groove.

foreign bodies in vagina

Objects that enter the vagina accidentally or are inserted deliberately. A great variety of foreign bodies may be present in the vagina, esp. in children. Some foreign bodies in adults include vaginal tampons, pessaries, and contraceptive diaphragms. The treatment is to remove the foreign body. Antibiotic therapy is not usually necessary.

vagina masculina

Prostatic utricle.

vagina mucosa tendinis

A synovial sheath that develops about a tendon.

septate vagina

A congenital condition in which the vagina is divided longitudinally into two parts. This division may be partial or complete.

vagina

Literally a sheath. In the female it acts as a receptacle for the penis in coitus and as the birth canal. The vagina is a fibromuscular tube, 8–10 cm long lying behind the URINARY BLADDER and URETHRA and in front of the RECTUM. The cervix of the UTERUS projects into it upper part. The vagina is highly elastic and has a thickened and folded mucous membrane lining that can stretch readily.

vagina

the portion of the female reproductive tract (OVIDUCT) of mammals into which the penis is introduced during copulation and through which the baby passes during birth.

Vagina

The tube-like passage from the vulva (a woman's external genital structures) to the cervix (the portion of the uterus that projects into the vagina).Mentioned in: Condom, Menopause, Placenta Previa, Placental Abruption

vagina

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vagina:

Vagina

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vagina

va·gi·na

va·gi·nae

vagina

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menopause

va·gi·na

vagina

Anatomy

artificial vagina

bulb of vagina

vagina fibrosa tendinis

foreign bodies in vagina

vagina masculina

vagina mucosa tendinis

septate vagina

vagina

vagina

Vagina

vagina

Synonyms for vagina

noun vulva

Synonyms

Words related to vagina

noun the lower part of the female reproductive tract

Related Words