Medical Encyclopedia: Vagina (Print Version)

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Medical Encyclopedia: Vagina

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002342.htm

Definition

The vagina is the female organ that connects the uterus and cervix to the outside of the body.

Information

The vagina is a muscular tube lined with mucus membranes. Its opening is between the urethra (where urine exits the body) and the anus.

The vagina allows for the flow of menstrual blood and for sexual intercourse, and is the passageway through which a baby is born. Inflammation of the vagina is known as vaginitis.

Update Date: 8/17/2007

Updated by: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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