Why do you think women have a hymen?

Question

No one really knows I don't think...though the idea that it was to keep disease out is one hypothesis. Some girls are born without one too.

gidgit, women have an adam's apple too. it just isn't as big.

When the larynx or voicebox grows larger during puberty, it sticks out at the front of the throat. This is what's called an Adam's Apple. Everyone's larynx grows during puberty, but a girl's larynx doesn't grow as much as a boy's does. This larger larynx gives boys deeper voices.

The primary purpose of the larynx is to close off the airway when swallowing. The closure of the vocal folds, in addition to other forms of constriction, protects the lungs from the aspiration of food or liquid into the airway. The second purpose of the larynx is to create voice. Within the larynx are the vocal folds, which are responsible for producing sound, or phonation.

Answer 1

It's arguable there is no such thing. It's got a name which presupposes a purpose, which is an indicator of virginity. But as you say, the narrowing of the vagina is not universal and girls can rupture this membrane in infancy while playing, horseriding, even going to the toilet. It seems to be a part of the body for which a function was assumed first, and then a name given. But actually it's just an innocuous piece of flesh without a specific function. A similar thing could be the earlobe - just a tag of flesh with no purpose, but which we have ordained with the purpose of carrying earrings.

Answer 2

Wrong about the larynx, Hun. Your Epiglottis is the device in your throat that cuts off the airway when swallowing. Your larynx IS your air way. It's the pipe that the air comes in.

Answer 3

I had a Hymen Question answered with some Very good Points, One of which Answers this.

The Hymen has a Protective Purpose: To keep Liquid out of the Vagina in the Womb. This is also why it is Unnecessary in Subsequent life.

My Own Question was looking for Other animals with Hymens, and Several Aquatics were pointed out.

Answer 4

its like one of those seals on medicine bottles....

(JOKING! I AM JOKING, THAT IS A JOKE! DO NOT TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY)

lol, seriously though (if I did not make this clear, that first line I said, was a joke. I do not mean it in the slightest bit serious way) I think the bacteria and disease prevention type things makes sense.

maybe its like how babys sometimes stick things in their mouths as part of exploring their environment, and maybe some people might tend to stick things where they shouldn't be otherwise, and that might be an attempt at preventing problems from such ... inappropriate exploration.

or it could just be a left over from the way the genitals develop, that was never signifigant enough to develop out of the gene pool.

Answer 5

As far as I know, it's to protect the reproductive tract before it's needed. Makes sense that those who had the beginnings of one many generations back would have less infection and thus survive longer, and passed it on to their offspring, and so it's part of most women's bodies now.

Answer 6

I know this isn't a real answer....well, it's not an answer at all.

But when I first read the question, I thought you asked why woman have a hymnal???

LOL

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Answer 7

in R&S?

if you ever had a little girl who played on playgrounds, it would become apparent quite quickly, the small rocks and slides and sand tends to get in uncomfortable places that boys don't have trouble with

Answer 8

I don't think I had one because I never bled. It's just a useless piece of extra skin. That's all.

Answer 9

I am with Bad Liberal on this one
I couldnt word it as well
so I am just agreeing with him

Answer 10

why do men have an adams apple? who knows, but someone in health might have more information for you than R & S, just a thought.