Girls and women have three separate openings in the pelvic area: the urethra (where urine comes out), the vaginal opening, and the anus. These three holes are arranged in a line from front to back, each with a distinct function. Many people assume there are only two, so if you’re surprised by the number three, you’re not alone.
Where Each Opening Is Located
All three openings sit between the legs, but they’re spaced apart and serve completely different body systems. From front to back, the order is: the urethral opening is closest to the front, the vaginal opening is in the middle, and the anus is at the back. A small patch of skin called the perineum separates the vaginal opening from the anus.
The outer folds of skin (called the labia) surround the two front openings. Together, this entire external area is called the vulva. The vagina itself is actually the internal canal; the part you can see from outside is just the vaginal opening.
The Urethral Opening
The urethral opening is the smallest of the three and the one most people don’t realize exists as a separate hole. It sits just above the vaginal opening, and its only job is to let urine leave the body. The tube behind it, the urethra, connects directly to the bladder.
In females, the urethra is quite short, only about 4 centimeters long. This is one reason urinary tract infections are more common in women than in men. Because the opening is so small, it can be hard to spot visually, which is why many people grow up thinking urine exits through the vagina. It doesn’t.
The Vaginal Opening
The vaginal opening is the middle hole, located between the urethral opening and the anus. It leads to the vagina, a flexible, canal-like organ inside the body. This single opening serves several functions: menstrual blood exits through it, penetrative sex involves it, and during vaginal childbirth, the baby passes through it.
A thin piece of tissue called the hymen partially surrounds the vaginal opening. Despite common myths, the hymen is not a solid seal that blocks the opening. It’s soft, elastic, and typically ring-shaped, leaving space for menstrual blood to flow out. Its shape and size vary from person to person, and it naturally wears down over time from everyday activities, not just from sex.
The Anus
The anus is the third and rearmost opening. It’s part of the digestive system, not the reproductive or urinary system. A ring of muscle called the anal sphincter controls the opening so the body can release solid waste. Both males and females have an anus in the same position, so this one is rarely a source of confusion.
Smaller Openings You Can’t See
Beyond the three main holes, there are a few microscopic duct openings in the vulva area. Two tiny glands sit on either side of the urethral opening, and two more sit near the lower part of the vaginal opening. These glands produce small amounts of fluid that help with lubrication. Their openings are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye, so they’re not counted among the primary openings. They’re worth knowing about mainly because they can occasionally become blocked or infected, causing a small, tender bump.
Why the Layout Matters for Hygiene
The front-to-back arrangement of these three openings is the reason behind a well-known hygiene rule: always wipe from front to back after using the toilet. The anus naturally carries bacteria from the digestive tract. Wiping toward the front can drag that bacteria across the vaginal opening and up to the urethral opening, which can lead to vaginal infections or urinary tract infections. Wiping front to back keeps bacteria moving away from those more vulnerable openings.
This is especially important because the urethra and vaginal opening are so close together. Bacteria that reach the vaginal area can easily migrate to the urethra and travel up to the bladder. Keeping the area clean and wiping in the right direction is one of the simplest ways to prevent infections.