Vagina functions

Oestradiol and progesterone regulate the structural and functional changes in oviducts, uterus, cervix and vagina that occur during the menstrual cycle. They provide conditions in the oviduct for the upward motility of sperm, and the downward movement of ova, and also conditions favourable for fertilisation in the oviduct and implantation in the uterus. Another effect is to stimulate vaginal secretions. 

Labor. The function of the female organism by which the product of conception is expelled from the uterus through the vagina to the outside world. 

Cicinelli, E., and de Ziegler D. 1999. Transvaginal progesterone Evidence for a new functional portal system flowing from the vagina to the uterus. Human Reprod Update 5 365. 

Functions of the vagina include receiving the erect penis and semen during coitus and ejaculation and serving as a passageway for fetus and menses to the outside of the body [4],... 

Platzer, W. Poisel, W. Hafez, E.S.E. Evans, T.N. Functional anatomy of the human vagina. In The Human Vagina, North Holland Publishing Co. New York, 1978 39-53. 

The female reproductive system consists of a vagina, a uterus, and the bilateral fallopian tubes and ovaries. The ovaries are located on either side of the uterus in close proximity to the fallopian tubes. They function as both the producers of ova and the secretors of the sex hormones progesterone and estrogens. 

During a normal menstrual cycle, there is a closely coordinated interplay of feedback effects between the hypothalamus, the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and the ovaries. In addition, there are cyclic hormone changes that lead to functional and structural changes in the ovaries (foUicle maturation, ovulation, and corpus luteum development), uterus (preparation of the endometrium for possible implantation of the fertilized ovum), cervix (to permit transport of sperm), and vagina (see Figure 53-7). ... 

Figure 10.11 Agent concentrations after bolus delivery. The concentration of agent as a function of time and position within the vaginal tract was determined using a well-stirred (a) or plug-flow (b) model of mixing within the vagina.

---