Hymen: a thin membrane that surrounds the opening to the vagina. Hymens can come in different shapes. The most common hymen in young women is shaped like a half moon. This shape allows menstrual blood to flow out of the vagina. Imperforate hymen : An imperforate hymen can sometimes be diagnosed at birth. More often, the diagnosis is made during the teen years.
Hymens: Types of Hymens | Center for Young Women's Health
This small skinfold is often regarded as an indicator of virginity across cultures. However, the gap between medical knowledge of the hymen and our cultural interpretation of its role is vast. This article is also available in Spanish. Coming from the Greek word meaning membrane, the hymen is a small piece of skin found inside the opening of the vagina. Contrary to its name, the hymen is not a complete membrane covering the full vaginal opening.
Author: Jonathan Schaffir, MD. One commonly misunderstood part of female anatomy is the hymen. Many people might be surprised to learn that the hymen has no proven medical or physiological purpose.
Vulva with pubic hair removed and labia separated to show the opening of the vagina:. Bronson Health. Picture from Hymen - Healthy Strokes visit their website for more.