Dear Reader,

Let's talk female genital anatomy! Since both the vulva and vagina have many parts, it can be easy to get confused. One major distinction in female anatomy is internal versus external genital organs and tissues. The vagina is the internal canal that leads to the uterus; inside of the vagina, you can probably feel a couple of body parts "jutting out." The vulva is the external genital area including the labia ("lips") and clitoris, among other parts. While these external/internal distinctions remain constant, keep in mind that every woman's anatomy has characteristics that look and feel slightly different, the same way each person's face is at least slightly different from others.

Internal Reaches: The vagina, cervix, uterus, g-spot and more!
If you insert your finger toward the upper part of the vagina, you will probably touch your cervix. You'll know you're touching the cervix (made of cartilage) because it feels smooth and firm, like the tip of your nose (also made of cartilage). If you reach the middle of your cervix, you might feel the dimple in the middle known as the os, which means mouth in Latin. This is the opening into the uterus. If you attempt to feel your cervix when you're aroused, your cervix may seem harder to reach. The reason is because when a woman is aroused, the cervix ascends, lengthening the vaginal canal.

The other possibility "jutting out" is the urethral sponge, home of the infamous G-spot. Since it protects the urethra during sexual activity, pressing on it may cause a woman to feel as if she has to urinate. The easiest way to feel this area is to insert your middle or index finger, palm up, inside the vagina. If you curl your finger up toward the pubic bone (the front of your body), you will feel a textured nugget of tissue. During arousal, this tissue swells, making it more prominent. Some women find that touch or pressure to the G-spot is a source of great pleasure. Others don't seem to experience any particularly pleasurable sensations.

Parts on Display: Labia, clitoris, anus, oh my!
Now let's discuss the clitoris, which is in fact approachable enough to suck, lick, press, rub, or touch during foreplay. The tip of the clitoris is known as the glans and has between 6,000 and 8,000 sensory nerve endings — as many as the entire penis. For some women, the tip of the glans is visible and approachable in the unaroused state. For others, it's less noticeable at first glance, but becomes more noticeable if the hood — the skin that covers the glans of the clitoris — is retracted back with fingers. When a woman is aroused, the clitoris, which is made up of erectile tissue, becomes erect and hard, similar to a man's penis, but on a much smaller scale. It also swells and changes position. Some women like to have their clitoris, either exposed or hidden under the hood, kissed, pressed, sucked, rubbed, or touched. Others find these sensations to be uncomfortable and may prefer not to have their clitoris touched in any way. It's all a matter of the woman's personal preference.

The labia, or lips, are the folds of skin that surround the clitoris and the vaginal opening. The outer labia, the ones where pubic hair grows, are called the labia majora. The inner labia, the (often) smaller lips that fold inside, are the labia minora. Labia vary greatly, in color, size, amount of pubic hair, and sensitivity to stimulation. Your labia are very likely normal, even if they don't look like any other you've seen. The anus, which men and women share, is another prominent part of external genetalia. Some people are content to leave the anus be, others enjoy anal stimulation. Your choice!

For more information about the urethral sponge, the G-spot, and the clitoris, check out Rebecca Chalker's book, The Clitoral Truth: The World At Your Fingertips. You can also find pictoral descriptions of male and female anatomy through Teenwire. Here's to fruitful explorations,

Alice

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