Vestibule and Vulva
The vestibule is the portion of the reproductive tract between the vagina and the external genitalia. The transition between vagina and vestibule is demarcated by the external urethral orifice, and therefore the vestibule is functionally common to both urinary and reproductive tracts.
The porcine and bovine vulva features a suburethral diverticulum, a short blind sac ventral to the opening of the urethra. The mucous membrane of the vestibule is characterized by abundant mucous glands.The vulva is the external genitalia of the female (Fig. 26-7). It comprises right and left labia, which meet on the midline dorsally and ventrally at the dorsal and ventral commissures, respectively. The ventral commissure is usually somewhat pendulous and conceals the clitoris, a structure of erectile tissue that has the same embryonic origin as the penis in the male. Like the penis, the clitoris consists of two crura, or roots, a body, and a glans; only the glans is visible externally. The clitoris is covered by
Figure 26-7. External genitalia of the mare.
stratified squamous epithelium and is well supplied with sensory nerve endings.