External reproductive organs

These are the outer structures, which are adapted to facilitate stimulation and the sexual encounter with the male reproductive organs.

: During puberty, estrogen levels increase, causing changes to female physiognomy, such as broader hips.
: During female development, the dominant hormone is called estradiol. It makes the breasts and uterus grow.
: The mammary glands are attached to the pectoral muscles, at the top of the ribs. They are made up of muscles, glands, skin and fat.
: Oogenesis

Female external reproductive organs as a group are called the vulva, a series of structures located around the vaginal orifice that participate directly in sexual intercourse.

The mound of Venus is one of these structures. It is a mound of soft, fatty tissue covered in pubic hair as of puberty. It protects the internal organs because the hair forms a net that traps potential pathogen agents. This region also cushions the contact that takes place between men and women during sexual relations. This zone is highly innervated; this is why stimulating it eases arousal.

The labia majora or external labia are two fleshy folds of skin that surround and protect the more delicate organs of the vulva, like the clitoris, the urethral orifice and the vaginal orifice.

They are located from the border of the mound of Venus to the junction with the skin of the thigh. Farther down, there are two narrow folds that are a bit smaller called labia minora. They surround the vaginal orifice and the urinary meatus. Both structures are made up of spongy erectile tissue, this is why their texture is so elastic and dilates so easily during sexual intercourse.

The clitoris is a small organ found at the end the labia minora (at the junction of both folds) that meets with the mound of Venus. It is cylindrical and measures around one centimeter long. It is the most sensitive of all the female sex organs because it contains lots of nerve endings. It is made up of two cavernous bodies that meet at one end, forming the clitoral glans. During erection, both bodies harden and increase in size as a consequence of sexual arousal.

Breast exam

The appearance of lumps or nodules is a disorder that affects breasts and they might indicate a greater problem, such as cancer. In order to prevent and detect these lumps on time, women must periodically give themselves a self breast exam, which consists of feeling both breasts with their fingertips, using circular motions. This helps feel any mass that is foreign to the breast. It is recommended to do this in front of a mirror and with one arm behind your head.

The breasts

They are two structures that protrude from the thorax; layers of conjunctive and fatty tissue and mammary glands all covered in skin. A conical structure made up of irregular, wrinkly tissue arises from the center of the breast’s areola: the nipple. It plays a pivotal role during breastfeeding.

Lubricating glands

The greater vestibular gland is found between the labia majora and minora. Its job is to secrete a thick liquid that lubricates the entrance of the vagina during sexual relations. The paraurethral glands are activated by stimulation. They perform the same function and are found beneath the urethral orifice.