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Estrogenized Hymen: *Effect of the female sex hormone, estrogen, on the hymen, making it
more elastic and distensible. Hymen takes on a thickened, redundant
and pale appearance as the result of estrogenization.
Fimbriated Hymen: *Hymen with multiple projections or indentations along the edge,
creating a ruffled appearance.
Friability: *Term used to describe tissues that bleed easily. Example: The friability
of labial adhesions, that when gently separated may bleed.
*Friability of the posterior fourchette – a superficial breakdown of the
skin in the posterior fourchette (commissure) when gentle traction is
applied, causing slight bleeding.
Genitalia (external): *The external sexual organs. In males, includes the penis and scrotum.
In females, includes the contents of the vulva. (see vulva)
Hematoma: *Mass of usual clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ or body space
as a result of a broken blood vessel.
Hymen: *A membrane which partially or, rarely, completely covers the external
vaginal orifice. Located at the junction of the vestibular floor and the
vaginal canal. Wide anatomic variation in types: annular, crescentic,
fimbriated (denticular), septate, cribriform, imperforate. Wide variation
in character of membrane: redundant/thick vs. smooth/thin
(velamentous), depending upon age and stage of secondary sexual
development.
Hymenal Orifice: *The opening in the hymenal membrane which constitutes the entrance
or outlet of the vagina.
Imperforate Hymen: *Hymenal membrane with no opening.
“Intact Hymen”: *A term which implies a non-injured hymenal membrane. The use of
this term is to be discouraged due to its non-specificity.
Laceration: *Injury or tear of tissue.
Mound (bump): *Solid, localized, rounded and thickened area of tissue on the edge of
the hymen.
Notch *Angular or “V”-shaped indentation on the edge of the hymenal
(hymenal notch): membrane and may extend to the muscular attachment of the hymen.
A relatively sharp notch or cleft that persists during multiple
examination techniques may be evidence of hymenal trauma.
Perianal Skin Folds: *Wrinkles or folds of perianal skin radiating from the anus, which are
created by the contraction of the external anal sphincter.