Hymen
Updates to Article Attributes
The hymen is a thin fold of mucous membrane which extends across the vaginal opening, usually with some form of internal defect, which permits the free passage of normal menses.
It usually ruptures during coitus with the remnants, usually in the form of small tags of tissue around the vaginal opening, termed the hymenal carunculae.
Gross anatomy
There is usually an opening within the hymen which may be single or multiple, central, eccentric or at the side. If no opening is present, this is termed an imperforate hymen and leads to accumulation of fluid within the vaginal vault and uterus.
Morphological subtypes
Multiple terms exist for the various morphologies of the hymen:
- annular hymen: ring-shaped
- bifenestrated hymen: two small defects interposed by a wide septum
- circular hymen: circular defect (central or eccentric)
- cribriform hymen: multiple small perforations
- denticular hymen: defect with sawtooth-like margins
- falciform/lunar hymen: crescentic
- fenestrated hymen: see cribriform
- septate hymen: defect is subdivided by a septum
- subseptate hymen: defect is incompletely subdivided by a partial septum
Function
The actual function of the hymen remains unclear 4.
History and etymology
Hymen derives from the Ancient Greek word "υμην" meaning skin or membrane.
Related pathology
-<p>The <strong>hymen</strong> is a thin fold of mucous membrane which extends across the vaginal opening, usually with some form of internal defect, which permits the free passage of normal menses. </p><p>It usually ruptures during coitus with the remnants, usually in the form of small tags of tissue around the vaginal opening, termed the <strong>hymenal carunculae</strong>. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>There is usually an opening within the hymen which may be single or multiple, central, eccentric or at the side. If no opening is present, this is termed an <a title="Imperforate hymen" href="/articles/imperforate-hymen">imperforate hymen</a> and leads to accumulation of fluid within the vaginal vault and uterus. </p><h5>Morphological subtypes</h5><p>Multiple terms exist for the various morphologies of the hymen:</p><ul>- +<p>The <strong>hymen</strong> is a thin fold of mucous membrane which extends across the vaginal opening, usually with some form of internal defect, which permits the free passage of normal menses. </p><p>It usually ruptures during coitus with the remnants, usually in the form of small tags of tissue around the vaginal opening, termed the <strong>hymenal carunculae</strong>. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>There is usually an opening within the hymen which may be single or multiple, central, eccentric or at the side. If no opening is present, this is termed an <a href="/articles/imperforate-hymen">imperforate hymen</a> and leads to accumulation of fluid within the vaginal vault and uterus. </p><h5>Morphological subtypes</h5><p>Multiple terms exist for the various morphologies of the hymen:</p><ul>
-<li>hymenal polyp</li>- +<li><a title="hymenal polyp" href="/articles/hymenal-polyp">hymenal polyp</a></li>
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