Vaginal fornix
Encyclopedia
The fornices of the vagina (sing. fornix of the vagina or fornix vaginae) are the deepest portions of the vagina
, extending into the recesses created by the vaginal portion of cervix
. The word 'fornix' is Latin for 'arch'.
There are three named fornices:
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.
Some women receive enjoyment from stimulation of the fornices, while other women say that their fornices cannot be stimulated without stimulation of the cervix, which may be painful.
The fornices appear to be close to at least two erogenous zones, the AFE zone, which is near the anterior fornix, and the cul-de-sac, which is near the posterior fornix.
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
, extending into the recesses created by the vaginal portion of cervix
Vaginal portion of cervix
The vaginal portion of the cervix projects free into the anterior wall of the vagina between the anterior and posterior fornices vaginae.On its rounded extremity is a small, depressed, somewhat circular aperture, the external orifice of the uterus, through which the cavity of the cervix...
. The word 'fornix' is Latin for 'arch'.
There are three named fornices:
- The posterior fornix is the larger recess, behind the cervixCervixThe cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall...
. It is close to the rectouterine pouch. - There are two smaller recesses in front and at the sides:
- the anterior fornix is close to the vesicouterine pouch.
- the lateral fornix.
During sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
in the missionary position
Missionary position
The missionary position is a "man-on-top" sex position usually described as the act in which the woman lies on her back and the partners face each other. Though often acted on and applied by heterosexual pairings, it may also be used by gay and lesbian couples.The missionary position is an example...
, the tip of the penis reaches the anterior fornix, while in the rear-entry position it reaches the posterior fornix.
Some women receive enjoyment from stimulation of the fornices, while other women say that their fornices cannot be stimulated without stimulation of the cervix, which may be painful.
The fornices appear to be close to at least two erogenous zones, the AFE zone, which is near the anterior fornix, and the cul-de-sac, which is near the posterior fornix.