Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tube extending from the uterine cervix to the outside of the body. The vagina is composed of a mucosa, muscularis externa and adventitia. The vagina serves as the depository for sperm and serves as part of the birth canal at parturition. 10x
Stratified squamous moist epithelium >
The vaginal mucosa possesses stratified squamous moist epithelium. Many rugae allow for expansion. No glands are present, so the vagina is lubricated by the mucous secretions from the cervix. The lamina propria contains abundant veins; a muscularis mucosae is lacking.
Lamina propria >
Because there is no muscularis mucosae present, the connective tissue underlying the epithelium represents the combined lamina propria and submucosa. The connective tissue is looser immediately beneath the epithelium and becomes denser deeper in the layer.
Muscularis externa >
The muscularis externa is composed of irregularly arranged bundles of smooth muscle that are not arranged into inner circular and outer longitudinal layers. An adventitia lies external to the muscularis externa.
Adventitia
The muscularis externa is composed of irregularly arranged bundles of smooth muscle that are not arranged into inner circular and outer longitudinal layers. An adventitia lies external to the muscularis externa.
Graphic: vagina >
The vagina is lined with stratified squamous moist epithelium to protect the organ during intercourse and parturition. This epithelium responds to high estrogen at the time of ovulation by increasing the number of cell layers and by accumulating abundant glycogen.
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