Despite the fact that many people are familiar with their ears, eyes, nose and mouths, most are unfamiliar with the structures that make up the female genital tract. A recent study by researchers at Addenbrookes Hospital found that only 46 percent of participants could correctly identify how many "holes" a woman has down there. The most commonly cited was the vagina, followed by the anus.
Generally speaking, women have three holes down there: the urethra (the tube that carries urine outside of the body), the vagina and the anus. The urethra is located in front of the vagina, while the vagina and anus are located within the pelvic area. The vulva can expand to accommodate a larger object, like a penny or a bottle of water, if needed.
The vulva is the opening to the vagina, where babies are born and period blood flows during menstruation. It’s also the hole where a penis, finger, sex toy or tampon can be inserted. A thin membrane called the hymen usually surrounds or partially covers this opening, but it can be stretched by physical activity, sexual intercourse and the insertion of tampons.
The ovaries release eggs during ovulation. These eggs then travel down the fallopian tubes, where fertilization typically occurs if sperm meets an egg. The fallopian tubes have tiny openings, known as fimbriae, which help capture the released eggs. They are then carried into the uterus, where pregnancy is formed. The ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix all work together to allow for conception to occur.