Hymen

The hymen is a fold of mucous membrane which surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening. It forms part of the vulva, or external genitalia. The most common formation of the hymen is crescentic or crescent-shaped, although several other formations are possible. After a woman gives birth she may be left with remnants of the hymen called carunculae myrtiformes or the hymen may be completely absent.The hymen has no known anatomical function. In societies which value chastity, the greatest significance of the hymen is a traditional belief that an intact hymen indicates a state of intact virginity. However, it is not possible to confirm that a woman or post-pubescent girl is a virgin by examining the hymen. A physician routinely checks the appearance of the hymen of baby girls at birth , and again during all future pelvic examinations. In cases of suspected rape or sexual abuse a detailed examination of the hymen may be carried out, however the condition of the hymen alone is often inconclusive or open to misinterpretation, especially if the patient has reached puberty. (From the Wikpedia article Hymen.)

Download PDF containing detailed information.

Recent Publications on Hymen:
Congenital urethrovaginal fistula with imperforate hymen: a first case report. BACKGROUND: Congenital urethrovaginal fistulas are rare, and all five...	30th October, 2009	Department of Urology, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.	J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2009 Jul;31(7):652-3.
Female epispadias: a case report and review of the literature. Isolated female epispadias without exstrophy is an extremely rare...	28th October, 2009	Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat,	Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2009 Nov;25(11):613-6.
Congenital anomalies of the female reproductive tract in a patient with Goltz syndrome. BACKGROUND: Goltz syndrome, or focal dermal hypoplasia, is a rare...	23rd October, 2009	Division of Gynecology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical	J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2009 Aug;22(4):e71-2. DOI Direct Link
Hymen sparing surgery for imperforate hymen: case reports and review of literature. BACKGROUND: Imperforate hymen, with an incidence between 0.1% and 0.05%,...	23rd October, 2009	Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,	J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2009 Aug;22(4):e61-4. DOI Direct Link
Comment on a cerclage method for hymenoplasty. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the types, clinical features and therapeutic...	22nd October, 2009		Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Jun;48(2):203.
→View more research publications.

Hymen Clinical Trials:
Efficacy Study of Vaginal Mesh for Prolapse

Hymen Patents:
US Patent No.	Title
4882880	Ganging of buffing wheels
5202104	Process for preparing silica having a low silanol content
5238187	Liquid vaporizing, diffusing and dripping
5282561	Portable beverage dispenser
5339986	Method of dispensing beverage
→View more patents.

Companies working in the area of Hymen from Bioportfolio's Biocorporate database :
Company Name
SYNCROSCOPY Syncroscopy develops and manufactures unique digital imaging solutions that vastly extend the capabilities of optical microscopes. We have solutions to many of the common problems associated with the... www.syncroscopy.com/        View full profile

BioPortfolio Ltd. offers e-mail and postal lists for Hymen scientists - we have details of around 63 individuals working on Hymen .