Vaginal vault (Fornix vaginae) is the name of a part of the vagina located in front of the uterus. It is divided into the anterior and posterior vaginal vault. Occasionally it is called the vaginal base. The cervix protrudes into the vault like a cone. The posterior vaginal vault, which is somewhat stronger than the anterior vaginal vault, is where the male sperm is absorbed during the sexual act. This area is therefore also called the seminal receptacle. The cross-section of a vagina has the greatest width at the vaginal vault and becomes smallest in the first third below the pelvic floor muscles. This location is the so-called levator cleft.
What is the vaginal vault?
The vagina is a thin-walled, stretchy tube, eight to twelve centimeters long, made of connective tissue and muscle. Inside, the vagina is crisscrossed by several longitudinal and transverse folds. The transverse folds usually regress after the first birth. The cervical mucus is responsible for the moisture of the vagina. It is produced in the cervix and has a transparent appearance. The cervical mucus allows sperm to penetrate the uterus as well as the fallopian tubes. In the middle of the female cycle, it becomes thin and can fan out like spider threads. In addition, the so-called transudate ensures a moist vagina. This body fluid comes from the vessels of the vein plexus of the vagina. An average of two to five milliliters of it are produced per day. In the case of sexual arousal, this amount is up to 15 milliliters. The vagina continues to be richly colonized by bacteria of various kinds. This vaginal flora changes during the biological development of a woman. Until puberty, an alkaline environment prevails, which is predominantly produced by staphylo- and streptococci. In the course of time, it then changes to acidic areas because the vagina is later populated predominantly by lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli). The acidic environment in the vagina provides effective protection against pathogenic germs. In this way, the vaginal flora also prevents so-called ascending diseases from penetrating into the areas of the uterus and ovaries. Another function of the vagina is to drain menstrual blood. During sexual intercourse, it is also equipped with great extensibility as a copulatory organ. Finally, this plays a decisive role in the process of childbirth. Here, the vagina can even adapt to the baby’s head circumference.
Anatomy and structure
The vaginal vault, as the posterior part of the vagina, is used by a specialist to examine the so-called Douglas space (excavatio rectouterina), which immediately adjoins it. The Douglas space is a pocket-like protrusion of the peritoneum. For example, puncturing through the vagina and palpation can take place in this space. Thus, the location of the vagina provides good conditions for detecting possible inflammation or even cancer in neighboring areas. The vagina itself can also be affected by these diseases. An inflammation of the vagina is also called vaginitis. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. The consequences are often discharge, an unpleasant burning sensation and itching. In addition, in the course of inflammation, pain may be felt during urination and during sexual intercourse. Injuries to the vagina may also occur as a result of sexual intercourse, but also as a result of rape or the penetration of foreign bodies. A typical injury from sex is a tearing of the vagina at the posterior vaginal vault. This process leads to significant bleeding and requires urgent surgical treatment. After rape, in many cases the tear occurs at the lateral vaginal vault.
Function and tasks
It is not uncommon for the vagina to be affected by fistulas. These are acute connections between the vagina and neighboring hollow organs (urinary bladder, urethra, rectum). They are caused by excessive pressure, for example during pregnancy or after surgical procedures. Of the tumors in the vaginal area, vaginal carcinoma is particularly significant. It often occurs in the upper section of the vagina and only shows symptoms at a very late stage. In addition, vaginal carcinoma metastasizes very quickly via the local lymphatic channels. Tears in the vaginal wall, in turn, are in some cases consequences of the birth process.A very serious injury is complete or partial tearing of the vagina from the uterus (colporrhexis). In vaginal descent (descensus), the vagina and uterus are lower. This usually occurs because of a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles or connective tissue and increased pressure in the abdomen. In some cases, the vagina and uterus are so low that they protrude to the outside. This is then referred to as prolapse. Affected women suffer from a feeling of pressure, back pain and difficult urine control (incontinence). A prolapse must necessarily be removed by surgery.
Diseases
The Gräfenberg zone (“G-spot”), which is located three to four centimeters behind the entrance to the vagina on the front wall of the vagina, is particularly sensitive and easily aroused. In the immediate vicinity of this zone are the so-called paraurethral glands, which secrete sexual secretions in response to appropriate stimulation and thus bring about female ejaculation. These glands are also aptly called the female prostate. Furthermore, many women feel very strongly stimulated by the intense touch of the clitoral body, which is located in the area of the vaginal entrance. Scientific research has shown that 70 to 80 percent of women experienced orgasm ostensibly by means of the direct arousal of their clitoris.
