Editing Vagina (section)

====Vaginal opening and hymen====
[[File:Vaginal opening description-en.svg|A human vulva with vaginal opening labeled|thumb]]
The '''vaginal opening''' (also known as the '''vaginal introitus''' and the Latin '''''ostium vaginae''''')<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ricci|first1=Susan Scott|last2=Kyle|first2=Terri|publisher=Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|year = 2009|title=Maternity and Pediatric Nursing|page=77|access-date=January 7, 2024|isbn=978-0-78178-055-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gaYtFuND7VIC&pg=PA77}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Zink|first=Christopher|publisher=De Gruyter|year = 2011|title= Dictionary of Obstetrics and Gynecology |page=174|isbn= 978-3-11085-727-6 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=EQlvzV9V7xIC&pg=PA174}}</ref> is at the posterior end of the [[vulval vestibule]], behind the [[urinary meatus|urethral opening]]. The term ''introitus'' is more technically correct than "opening", since the vagina is usually collapsed, with the opening closed. The opening to the vagina is normally obscured by the [[labia minora]] (inner lips), but may be exposed after [[vaginal delivery]].<ref name="Dutta"/>

The [[hymen]] is a thin layer of [[mucous membrane|mucosal tissue]] that surrounds or partially covers the vaginal opening.<ref name="Dutta"/> The effects of [[sexual intercourse|intercourse]] and childbirth on the hymen vary. Where it is broken, it may completely disappear or remnants known as ''carunculae myrtiformes'' may persist. Otherwise, being very elastic, it may return to its normal position.<ref name="Knight">{{cite book|vauthors=Knight B |title=Simpson's Forensic Medicine|edition=11th|year=1997|publisher=Arnold|location=London|page=114|isbn=978-0-7131-4452-9}}</ref> Additionally, the hymen may be lacerated by disease, injury, [[medical examination]], [[masturbation]] or [[physical exercise]]. For these reasons, [[virginity]] cannot be definitively determined by examining the hymen.<ref name="Knight"/><ref name="Perlman">{{Cite book|vauthors=Perlman SE, Nakajyma ST, Hertweck SP |title=Clinical protocols in pediatric and adolescent gynecology|year=2004|publisher=Parthenon |page=131 |isbn=978-1-84214-199-1 }}</ref>