Vaginal fornix

The fornices of the vagina (sing. fornix of the vagina or fornix vaginae) are the superior portions of the vagina, extending into the recesses created by the vaginal portion of cervix. The word "fornix" is Latin for "arch".

Vaginal fornix
Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment. SM. INT. Small intestine.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Fornix vaginae
TA98	A09.1.04.002
TA2	3524
FMA	19985
Anatomical terminology

Structure

There are two named fornices:

• The posterior fornix is the larger recess, behind the cervix. It is close to the recto-uterine pouch.
• There are three smaller recesses in front and at the sides:
  • the anterior fornix is close to the vesico-uterine pouch.
  • the two lateral fornices.

Sexual stimulation

During sexual intercourse in the missionary position, the tip of the penis reaches the anterior fornix, while in the rear-entry position it reaches the posterior fornix.[1]

The fornices appear to be close to one reported erogenous zone, the cul-de-sac, which is near the posterior fornix.

See also

• G-spot

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1264 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

1. Faix, A.; Lapray, J. F.; Callede, O.; Maubon, A.; Lanfrey, K. (15 February 2002). "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Sexual Intercourse: Second Experience in Missionary Position and Initial Experience in Posterior Position". Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 28 (sup1): 63–76. doi:10.1080/00926230252851203. PMID 11898711. S2CID 16407035.

External links

• MedEd at Loyola Grossanatomy/dissector/practical/pelvis/pelvis14.html
• Anatomy photo:43:10-0201 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center – "The Female Pelvis: The Vagina"
• Histology image: 19401loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University – "Female Reproductive System: cervix, longitudinal"
• figures/chapter_35/35-2.HTM: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School