Girls and women have three openings in the genital area: the urethral opening, the vaginal opening, and the anus. If you count all the natural openings on the entire body, including the nostrils, ear canals, and mouth, the total is nine. But most people asking this question want to understand the three “down there,” so let’s walk through each one clearly.
Three Openings, Front to Back
The three openings are arranged in a line from front to back between the legs. From front to back, they are the urethral opening, the vaginal opening, and the anus. Each one connects to a completely separate internal system and serves a different function.
A study published through the National Institutes of Health found that only 46% of people surveyed could correctly identify that there are three openings in this area. The vagina was the most commonly named (67% of respondents mentioned it), followed by the anus (55%), and the urethra came in last at just 35%. So if this is new information to you, you’re far from alone.
The Urethral Opening
The urethral opening is the smallest of the three and the one most people don’t know about. It’s a tiny hole located just below the clitoris and above the vaginal opening. Its only job is to let urine leave the body. A short tube called the urethra connects this opening to the bladder.
One common point of confusion is between the urethra and the clitoris. In the same NIH survey, nearly half of people who tried to label the urethra on a diagram placed it where the clitoris is, and vice versa. They’re close neighbors, but the clitoris is a small, sensitive structure at the very top of the vulva, while the urethral opening sits just below it.
The Vaginal Opening
The vaginal opening sits below the urethral opening. It’s noticeably larger and connects to the vaginal canal, which leads up to the cervix and uterus. This one opening serves several functions: menstrual blood exits the body through it, it’s where penetrative sex takes place, and it stretches significantly during childbirth.
A thin ring of tissue called the hymen partially surrounds the vaginal opening. It’s not a seal or a cover. In most people, the hymen naturally has an opening (or several) that allows menstrual flow to pass through. The tissue varies quite a bit from person to person. Some have very little hymenal tissue, while others have more. In rare cases, the hymen may completely cover the opening, which is a medical condition called an imperforate hymen that requires treatment.
The Anus
The anus is the third opening, located behind the vaginal opening. It’s the exit point of the digestive tract and is the opening you pass stool through. Both males and females have an anus, so this one isn’t unique to female anatomy. It connects to the rectum and is surrounded by muscles that control bowel movements.
Why the Confusion Is So Common
From the outside, the vulva (the external genital area) can look like it has fewer openings than it actually does. The urethral opening in particular is very small and tucked between folds of tissue, so it’s easy to miss on visual inspection. Many people grow up believing urine exits through the vagina, simply because they’ve never seen or been taught about the urethral opening as a separate structure.
The external appearance of the vulva also varies a lot from person to person. The size, shape, and color of the labia, clitoral hood, and surrounding structures are influenced by hormone levels, genetics, and age. Some people have more prominent labial folds that may partially cover the openings, while others have a more visible layout. These differences are entirely normal and don’t change how any of the openings function.
Hygiene Basics for Each Area
Because the three openings are close together and connected to different internal systems, the direction you wipe matters. Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. This prevents bacteria from the anal area from reaching the urethral or vaginal openings, which can cause urinary tract infections or vaginal infections.
The vagina cleans itself internally through natural discharge, so it doesn’t need soap, douches, or fragranced products inside it. For the external vulva area, gentle washing with water or a mild, unscented cleanser is sufficient. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists specifically recommends avoiding feminine sprays, scented toilet paper, and talcum powders, as these can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and cause irritation.