Intrinsic Innervation of the Vagina

Original article

English

K. N. Bhargava 1, S. Sood 2, A. Bhargava 3

1-Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Garyounis, Benghazi, S.P.L.A.J. 2-Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Garyounis, Benghazi, S.P.L.A.J. 3-Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Ministry of Health, Benghazi, S.P.L.A.J.

Garyounis Medical Journal Vol. 4, No.2. July 1981:61-64

Abstract

Intrinsic innervation of the vagina was studied in rat, rabbit, guinea-pig and man employing specific histochemical techniques on transverse and longitudinal sections of tissues obtained within short period after the animals were sacrificed.
The study confirmed that in its lower half, the vagina is profusely innervated by sensory nerve fibres. Some sensory nerve endings were found in the upper part of the vagina as well —a finding which is contrary to the previously held belief that this part of vagina does not have any sensory nerves. In all the species examined both components of the autonomic nervous system (i.e. sympathetic and parasympathetic) were present; however, the parasympathetic innervation was significantly more in the lower half as compared to the upper half. The utero-vaginal junction had an abundance of cholinergic and adrenergic nerves and adrenergic ganglia. The significance of preponderance of the cholinergic nerves and the presence of adrenergic ganglia is discussed.

Keywords: Intrinsic Innervation of the Vagina

Link/DOI: