Vagina Diagram (Labeled): Your Complete Vagina Chart Explained

Looking for a user’s manual or a tourist guide? We’ve got you covered. If the last time you encountered a vagina diagram was in high school biology class, it’s time for a bit of a refresher.

Whether you’re the owner of this magnificent body part, an adoring fan, or both, there’s a lot to discover. So, knowing that no two vaginas are exactly alike, let’s dive in.

Welcome to vagina anatomy 101.

In this article: 📝

What is the vagina?

The vagina is a muscular connecting tunnel between your cervix and your vulva ‒ essentially the joining point between the inside world of your reproductive system and the outside world.

A key feature of the vagina is that things come out of it, and things go into it. It lets blood and endometrial tissue out when you have your period. It allows penises, sex toys, and fingers in when you have sex. It's a passageway for sperm before it reaches the uterus. And it’s the passage through which you give birth if you have a vaginal delivery.

So yes, this phenomenal portal has some very important jobs to do. But its surrounding areas are also vital to the community of parts we often place under the blanket term “vagina".

There’s also the labia, the all-important clitoris, and the urethra ‒ to name some key players. So, our diagram of vagina parts is more a diagram of vagina-related parts.

We’re going to explore the whole region.

Vagina diagram labeled

First things first, we’re using the word “vagina” quite loosely here. In fact, we’re going to be exploring the vagina and all the parts within its general vicinity.

And if you see anything that you’re thinking ‘Huh, didn’t know that was there’, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Around half of women in the US and about the same amount in the UK can’t label a complete vagina chart. So no judgment here, this is a safe space where we can learn together.

Now let’s take a peek at this amazing organ!

Your vagina chart

Illustration by Lucy Han via Teen Vogue.

Illustration by blueringmedia via Getty Images.

Vulva

The vulva is the outside area of your reproductive system. When people talk about the vagina, they’re often really referring to this external section. It’s made up of the labia (or lips), the vulval vestibule (or vaginal opening), the opening of the urethra (where you pee from), and the clitoris (🎉).

We’ll take you through the details.

Labia majora

These are the outer lips that surround your vaginal opening. This fleshy exterior layer is covered in pubic hair and acts as protection for the other parts of the genital area.

Labia minora

These are the inner lips and are found inside your labia major. They start at your clitoris and end just beneath the opening of your vagina.

All vulvae are different. For some, the labia minora stick out past the labia majora, while for others, it’s the other way around.

Fun fact? For many of us, the labia swell when we’re aroused due to increased blood supply (much like an erection in men).

🔍 Get clued up: What is an Outie Vagina?

Vaginal vestibule

The gateway to vagina, this is another name for your vaginal opening. You’ll find it between the opening of your urethra and your anus.

On either side of the vaginal vestibule, just inside the opening, are the Bartholin’s glands. These pea-sized glands are in charge of releasing secretions that lubricate your vagina.

The opening of the vagina has a covering of tissue called the hymen. Some people have so little of this tissue that it seems as though the hymen doesn’t exist. And some people have tissue that covers the whole opening. If you’ve heard the story that links hymens to virginity, well that’s not entirely true.

So where does this tale come from? For some people, the first time they have penetrative vaginal sex, the hymen stretches open and this can cause some bleeding. But there are so many other ways this can happen ‒ sports, masturbation, using tampons, to name but a few. There are many ways to have sex and many ways to stretch your hymen. So the link between hymens and virginity ‒ well, it just doesn’t hold up.

Opening of the urethra

This is the little hole you pee through. It’s located just below your clitoris and above your vaginal vestibule. On either side of the urethra are your Skene’s glands, sometimes called the female prostate.

When you’re turned on, increased blood flow to the area causes these glands to swell. They also excrete fluids that help with lubrication ‒ yep, that’s female ejaculation ‒ and this liquid may have antimicrobial properties protecting your vagina from certain infections.

Vulval vestibule

This small piece of tissue between the labia minora is home to many important orifices. It's the inner skin folds that houses the opening of the vagina and the opening of the urethra.

Clitoris

Your clitoris is inside your labia, right at the top of your vulva, where the two inner lips meet. The clitoris head is called the glans.

It’s protected by a fold of skin known as the hood. But what you see is only the beginning of the story. The body of the clitoris ‒ called the corpora cavernosa ‒ is hidden deep inside you, with some extending up to five inches.

Mons pubis

This is the fatty tissue that covers your pubic bone at the top part of your vulva. It contains glands that secrete substances called pheromones that are involved in sexual attraction.

Perineum

This area is between your anus and the opening of the vagina. Giving birth vaginally can cause tears in your perineum.

In some cases, your doctor may perform what’s known as an episiotomy, where they make a small cut in the perineum to assist with the birth process.

Anus

Your anus is your digestive tract’s opening to the outside world. Mouth on the one end, anus on the other.

How does a normal vagina look like inside?

Just before we jump into this one, we’re not fans of the word “normal” ‒ every vagina is different, so what’s normal for one person could be unusual for someone else. But generally speaking, the inside walls of a vagina tend to look pink, sometimes sort of ridged, sometimes with internal folds (these are called rugae, and they’re perfectly natural).

The closest thing to compare the inside of a vagina to in look and feel is the mouth.

How long is the vaginal canal?

Oof, how long is a piece of string? Honestly, the length of the vaginal canal really varies from person to person, much like penis length.

But the average length of a vaginal canal is about 3.8 inches, with a range of anywhere from roughly 3 to 7 inches.

And there you have it ‒ your very own vagina diagram for reference. If you’re at all concerned about your vagina, for whatever reason, it’s best to ask your doctor ‒ particularly if you notice something different from usual.

So how did you do? Did you recognize everything from your vagina chart?