Opening of the Urethra
In girls and women, the urethral opening is located below the clitoris and above the vaginal opening. The urethral opening is not easy to see because it is in the vulva area. Because it is somewhat hidden, some young girls mistakenly believe urine comes out of their vaginal openings.
Young people may become confused about the functions of the urethra. The urethra in girls and women is not a part of the reproductive system. Its sole function is to provide a passageway for urine to flow from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Vaginal Opening
Directly under the urethral opening is the vaginal opening. The tissue surrounding it is called the introitus. The vaginal opening h three important functions:
• It is the opening that allows menstrual flow to pass from the body.
• It is where the penis is inserted during vaginal intercourse.
• It is the opening through which a fetus passes out of the body during birth.
Bartholin’s Glands
The two internal glands on each side of the vaginal opening in the labia minora are called Bartholin’s glands. They secrete fluids that a as lubrication when a woman is sexually excited.
Breasts
Women’s breasts are important physical and psychological sources of pleasure. In most cultures, they are a major element of female attractiveness. Stimulation of the breasts during sex play can give women sexual pleasure. A woman’s breasts can also support and nurture human life by producing milk for a baby after a woman has given birth. Many mothers also experience erotic pleasure during breast-feeding.
On the exterior of the breast is the nipple. The nipple has openings from which milk flows from the breasts. The area around the nipple is the areola. The nipple and areola are made of tissue and muscles that contract when it is cold or when sexually aroused—this happens in both males and females.
Milk is produced in special cells in the alveoli sacs inside of the breasts. These sacs are grouped together in areas called lobes. These cells, sacs, and lobes begin to produce milk only when a woman is pregnant. At that time, the body produces a hormone that stimulates milk production. When the fetus passes out of the womb and the woman is no longer pregnant, the milk passes into milk ducts. These are tube like structures that connect to the nipple. When the baby sucks on the woman’s nipple, milk is drawn from the ducts to the nipple.
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