The vagina is a 3 to 4 inch (7 1/2 to 10 cm) tube. Its upper part ends at the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb). The lower end opens to the outside onto the vulva, the external genitals. The vagina is sometimes called the birth canal. A thin layer called the epithelium lines the walls of the vagina. The epithelium is formed by squamous epithelial cells.
The part of the vaginal wall underneath the epithelium contains connective tissue, muscle tissue, lymph vessels, and nerves. The vagina is usually in a collapsed state with its walls touching each other. The vaginal walls have many folds that help the vagina to open and expand during sexual intercourse or birth of a baby. Glands in its wall secrete mucus to keep the vaginal lining moist.

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