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The vulva is the external female genitalia, which includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands. The vulva is supported by the pelvic floor muscles, which include the pubococcygeus muscle, the transverse perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, and the ischiocavernosus muscles. These muscles play a role in vaginal contractions during orgasm and help to maintain the stability of the perineum. The deep branch of the perineal nerve supplies the muscles of the perineum, which is the area between the vulva and the anus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles | Pelvic floor muscles, pubococcygeus muscle, transverse perineal muscles, bulbospongiosus muscles, ischiocavernosus muscles, levator ani muscle, coccygeus muscle |
| Nerves | Pudendal nerve, perineal nerve |
| Blood supply | Three pudendal arteries |
| Drainage | Chain of superficial inguinal lymph nodes |
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What You'll Learn
Pelvic floor muscles support the vulva
The vulva is made up of mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. The external genitalia, also known as the vulva, include the mons pubis, clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, and the vestibule with the external urethral meatus, vaginal orifice, and the vestibular bulbs and glands. The folds of the outer and inner labia provide a double layer of protection for the vagina (which leads to the uterus).
The pelvic floor muscles support the vulvar structures. The voluntary, pubococcygeus muscle, part of the levator ani muscle, partially constricts the vaginal opening. Other muscles of the urogenital triangle support the vulvar area and they include the transverse perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, and the ischiocavernosus muscles. The bulbospongiosus muscle decreases the vaginal opening. They play a role in the vaginal contractions of orgasm by causing the vestibular bulbs to contract. The tissues of the vulva are highly vascularised and blood supply is provided by the three pudendal arteries. Venous return is via the external and internal pudendal veins. The organs and tissues of the vulva are drained by a chain of superficial inguinal lymph nodes located along the blood vessels.
The intimate relationship between the genitalia and the muscles, ligaments, and fascia that provide support is complex, but critical to restore during surgery for correction of prolapse or aesthetic reasons. The levator ani forms the pelvic floor with the coccygeus muscle and provides vital support to all the pelvic organs and stability to the perineum.
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The pubococcygeus muscle constricts the vaginal opening
The vulva is comprised of mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. The mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands are all part of the vulva. The pelvic floor muscles help to support the vulvar structures. The pubococcygeus muscle, part of the levator ani muscle, partially constricts the vaginal opening. The levator ani muscle group works at rest and during stress to counteract intra-abdominal pressure and support pelvic organs. The levator ani surrounds the opening through which the urethra, rectum and vagina pass. The pubococcygeus muscle is subdivided into the pubourethralis, pubovaginal muscle and the puborectalis muscle. The names describe the attachments of the muscles to the urethra, vagina, anus, and rectum. The pubococcygeus, ileococcygeus and ischiococcygeus most likely provide the physical support or act as a “floor” for the pelvic viscera. The perineum attaches across the gap between the inferior pubic rami bilaterally and the perineal body. This grouping of muscles constricts to close the urogenital openings. The bulbospongiosus muscle decreases the vaginal opening. It plays a role in the vaginal contractions of orgasm by causing the vestibular bulbs to contract.
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The urogenital triangle supports the vulva
The vulva is supported by the pelvic floor muscles, which include the pubococcygeus muscle, part of the levator ani muscle. The levator ani forms the pelvic floor with the coccygeus muscle and provides vital support to all the pelvic organs and stability to the perineum.
The urogenital triangle is the anterior part of the perineum and contains the vulva. The perineal region can be divided into anterior and posterior triangles by a line between the ischial tuberosities and anterior to the anus. The anterior or urogenital triangle contains the labia majora, labia minora, the body and glans of the clitoris, and the vaginal and urethral orifices. The posterior or anal triangle contains the anal canal and the ischiorectal fossa, which in turn contains the internal pudendal arteries.
The muscles of the urogenital triangle support the vulvar area and include the transverse perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, and the ischiocavernosus muscles. The bulbospongiosus muscle decreases the vaginal opening and plays a role in the vaginal contractions of orgasm by causing the vestibular bulbs to contract. The superficial transverse perineal, ischiocavernous, and bulbospongious muscles form a superficial layer of striated muscles in the urogenital triangle. In men, muscles occupy the urogenital triangle, but additional tightening of the locally fibrous adipose tissue by the superficial transverse perineal muscle appears necessary to generate functional support in women.
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The vestibular bulbs contract during orgasm
The vulva does have muscles. The pelvic floor muscles help to support the vulvar structures. The pubococcygeus muscle, part of the levator ani muscle, partially constricts the vaginal opening. The bulbospongiosus muscle decreases the vaginal opening and plays a role in the vaginal contractions of orgasm by causing the vestibular bulbs to contract. The ischiocavernosus muscles also support the vulvar area.
The pelvic floor muscles and the muscles of the urogenital triangle support the vulvar area. The urogenital triangle muscles include the transverse perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, and the ischiocavernosus muscles. The bulbospongiosus muscle decreases the vaginal opening and plays a role in the vaginal contractions of orgasm. The ischiocavernosus muscles are also involved in the contractions of orgasm.
The external female genitalia, including the vestibular bulbs, are structurally related to the deep pelvic muscle levator ani through the perineal membrane and the perineal body. The levator ani forms the pelvic floor with the coccygeus muscle and provides vital support to all the pelvic organs and stability to the perineum. The intimate relationship between the genitalia and the muscles, ligaments, and fascia that provide support is complex, but critical to restore during surgery for correction of prolapse or aesthetic reasons.
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The vulva is highly vascularised
The vulva is supported by the pelvic floor muscles, including the levator ani muscle, which partially constricts the vaginal opening. The pubococcygeus muscle, part of the levator ani muscle, is a voluntary muscle that also plays a role in supporting the vulvar structures.
Other muscles of the urogenital triangle, such as the transverse perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, and the ischiocavernosus muscles, provide additional support to the vulvar area. The bulbospongiosus muscle decreases the vaginal opening and contributes to the vaginal contractions experienced during orgasm.
The external female genitalia, or vulva, include the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vestibule. The intimate relationship between the genitalia and the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and fascia is complex but critical to understand, especially in the context of pelvic reconstructive procedures.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the vulva is supported by pelvic floor muscles and other muscles of the urogenital triangle, including the transverse perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, and the ischiocavernosus muscles.
The muscles around the vulva play a role in vaginal contractions during orgasm, causing the vestibular bulbs to contract.
The muscles around the vulva are supplied with blood by the three pudendal arteries.
