Vaginal fornix
| Vaginal fornix | |
|---|---|
 Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment. SM. INT. Small intestine. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Fornix vaginae |
| Dorlands /Elsevier | 12375460 |
| TA | A09.1.04.002 |
| FMA | 19985 |
The fornices of the vagina (sing. fornix of the vagina or fornix vaginae) are the superior portions of the vagina, extending into the recesses created by the vaginal portion of cervix. The word "fornix" is Latin for "arch".
Structure
There are four named fornices:
- The posterior fornix is the larger recess, behind the cervix. It is close to the recto-uterine pouch.
- There are three smaller recesses in front and at the sides:
- the anterior fornix is close to the vesico-uterine pouch.
- the two lateral fornices.
Society and culture
During sexual intercourse in the missionary position, the tip of the penis reaches the anterior fornix, while in the rear-entry position it reaches the posterior fornix.[1]
Some women receive enjoyment from stimulation of the fornices, while other women say that their fornices cannot be stimulated without stimulation of the cervix, which may be painful.
The fornices appear to be close to one reported erogenous zone, the cul-de-sac, which is near the posterior fornix.
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- MedEd at Loyola Grossanatomy/dissector/practical/pelvis/pelvis14.html
- Anatomy photo:43:10-0201 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center — "The Female Pelvis: The Vagina"
- Histology image: 19401loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University — "Female Reproductive System: cervix, longitudinal"
- figures/chapter_35/35-2.HTM — Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
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