1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Surgery

Vagina

By , About.com Guide

Updated: February 11, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

the vagina

Diagram of Female Reproductive System

Image: © ADAM
Definition: The vagina is the muscular passageway from the exterior of a woman's body to the cervix. The vagina is lined with mucous membranes and makes sexual intercourse, menstruation and child birth possible.

Additional structures of the Female Reproductive Tract:

The Clitoris

The Cervix

The Fallopian Tubes

All About Hysterectomy Surgery

Pronunciation: vuh-JYE-nuh
Also Known As: birth canal, pussy (slang)
Common Misspellings: vajina, vaginah,
Examples: During the birth of a child contractions help push the baby through the vagina.
Explore Surgery
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Surgery
  4. Glossary
  5. Vagina Defined-What is a Vagina-Vagina Image

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.