Himen: un epónimo y mito de larga data en terminologia anatomica / Hymen: a long-standing eponym and myth in terminologia anatomica

RESUMEN: En Terminología Anatómica el término himen es identificado con el número 3530. Es un pequeño tejido membranoso que normalmente ocupa una parte de la abertura vaginal externa en la mujer. La pertinencia del término himen ha sido poco abordada en la literatura del campo terminológico anatómico, por tanto, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar este término, verificar su etimología y funcionalidad, y determinar cómo este ha sido considerado en algunos aspectos de orden cultural, clínico y jurídico. El término himen proviene del latín hymen que es préstamo del griego hymḗn ὑμήν que significa membrana. Con el valor general de cualquier membrana fue usado en Grecia desde el siglo V a.C., sin embargo, a través de un fenómeno de especialización latina, a partir de los siglos I y II d.C., el término fue usado con su significado actual. Su origen proviene del nombre del dios griego del matrimonio llamado Himeneo, lo que vincula el término a un epónimo y mito a la vez. Pese a lo anterior, creemos que su conservación en Terminología Anatómica se podría deber a su larga data de uso, aun cuando podrían existir mejores opciones para denominar esta estructura. El himen no presenta una función biológica conocida, sin embargo, ha tenido gran valoración a nivel cultural, clínico y jurídico, en el que el examen físico ha determinado conclusiones sobre la historia sexual de mujeres y niñas aun cuando las evidencias demuestran que no es una prueba precisa o confiable de la actividad sexual.

SUMMARY: In Terminologia Anatomica the term hymen is identified with the number 3530. It is a small membranous tissue that normally occupies a part of the external vaginal opening in women. The relevance of the term hymen has been scarcely addressed in the literature of the anatomical terminology field. Therefore, the objective of this work was to analyze this term, verify its etymology and functionality, and determine how it has been considered in certain cultural clinical and legal aspects. The term hymen comes from the Latin hymen, borrowed from the Greek hymḗn ὑμήν , which means membrane. With the general value of any membrane, it was used in Greece from the 5th century BC, however, through a phenomenon of Latin specialization, from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the term was used applying its current meaning. Its origin comes from the name of the Greek god of marriage called Hymenaeus, which links the term to an eponym and a myth at the same time. Despite the above, we believe that its conservation in Terminologia Anatomica could be due to its long history, even though there may be better options to name this structure. The hymen does not have a known biological function, however, it has been highly valued at a cultural, clinical and legal level, in which the physical examination has determined conclusions about the sexual history of women and girls even when the evidence shows that it is not an accurate or reliable proof of sexual activity.

Study on hymen: morphology, injuries of neonate and knowledge among students of faculty of nursing and education

Hymen is a thin membrane that surrounds the opening to a young Woman's Vagina, can present in different shapes. The most common hymen is shaped like a half moon. This shape allows menstrual blood flow out of girl's vagina [Adams, 2002]. Most Women are born with hymen, a thin piece of skin that partially covers the opening of the vagina [or introitus]. Hymen morphology has a medico-legal importance. Pediatricians are some times confronted with the challenge of documenting evidence of acute or chronic accidental or non accidental trauma to the hymen [Ann Saudi Med, 2001]. Identification of different types and percentage of hymen. Assess Knowledge of students about hymen in both Faculties Nursing and Education in Assiut University and Comparison between student's Knowledge indifferent years the [1st and 4th] years Faculty of Nursing to assess the improvements in their knowledge with program of study. A descriptive, analytic and retrospective design was used for this study The sample of this study was divided into three categories: A total of 220 consecutive girls [210 At birth 36 to 42 weeks of gestation and 10 from 8 to 12 month] were examined at labor ward, to observe hymnal configuration. A total of 20 defloration injuries who were recorded in statistical records from 3 December 2004 up to 3 December 2005. A total of 800 students were recruited for the study included [300 students from 1st year of faculty of Educations] and [500 students include 300 from the 1st year and 200 students from 4th year of faculty of Nursing]. Structured interviewing questionnaires Examination sheet of the hymen [At birth and one year of age] which include Gestational age Age of infant. Shape of hymen. The study result showed that annular configuration is the most common shape [79%] followed by posterior rim [12.7%], sleeve-like, fimbriated and cribiform hymen.-Distribution of defloration injuries who are recorded in statistical record 20 defloration injuries. Results of these students indicated that their mean age was [18.73 +/- 1.42] years. [64%, 55.5%, 50%] of the [1st and 4th grade]students Faculty of Nursing and the students Faculty of Education were residents in rural areas respectively-Regarding to the student's knowledge about the female genital organs, it was found that more than three quarters of the students [83.1%] had correct answer about female genital organs. The source of knowledge about female genital organs and hymen, it was found that [91. 4%] of the students had their knowledge from study books, mass media and teachers few students got their from house and relatives family. The student's knowledge about hymen, it was found that more than three quarters of the students [79.8%] know hymen. Beliefs about hymen, it was found that [72%] of the students defined it a thin membrane allows menstrual blood, [93.4%] that a sign of virginity and more than half of the students [55.5%] that has a different shapes of hymen. The causes of hymen tearing before marriage, it was found that [80.8%] of students mentioned that the main cause of hymen tearing before marriage was masturbation followed by illegal sexual relation, hard sports and [39.4%] by horse riding. Regarding to use of traditional method to rupture hymen in the wedding day, it was found that [100%] of the students didn't agree on use of traditional method to rupture hymen.-Regarding to relation between student's knowledge and parent's education, it was found that when parents were more educated, their daughters were bad information, it seems that education of the parents creates more barriers between their and their daughters, it also indicates that the education of the parents didn't necessarily to improve their knowledge. The comparison between class 1 and 4 of Faculty of Nursing, it was found highly percentage of knowledge about hymen in class 4 more than class 1 of Faculty of Nursing Finally the students need to know more information about hymen [definition, site, morphology, causes of hymen tearing before marriag

Imperfuração himenal: seguimento de caso por dois anos / Imperforate hymen: follow-up case for two years

A imperfuração himenal é uma anomalia na qual o orifício vaginal é totalmente ocluído, o que retém a secreção menstrual. A incidência é variável com taxas de 0,014% a 0,1% em fetos a termo. No período pré-púbere, geralmente é assintomática. Descreve-se o caso de uma paciente de 15 anos de idade que procurou atendimento médico com queixa de dor no abdome inferior, aumento de volume abdominal progressivo em um ano e piora na primeira semana de cada mês. A história e o exame físico direcionaram ao diagnóstico de imperfuração himenal, confirmada como massa cística pélvica na ultrassonografia. O propósito deste relato é ilustrar a ocorrência de imperfuração himenal e seguimento pela ultrassonografia posterior à himenectomia, indicando prognóstico bom nos casos de imperfuração himenal sem anomalias do trato urinário.

The imperforate hymen is an anomaly in which the vaginal opening is completely occluded, causing retention of menstrual discharge. The incidence is very controversial and variable, ranging from 0.014% to 0.1% in fetuses at term. In the pre-puberty are usually asymptomatic. The authors describe the case of a 15-year-old patient who sought medical care complaining of pain in lower abdomen, progressive abdominal distention in one year and a worsening in the first week of each month. The history and physical examination directed to the diagnosis of imperforate hymen confirmed as a cystic mass on pelvic ultrasound. The purpose of this report is to illustrate the occurrence of imperforate hymen and follow-up ultrasonography after himenectomia, indicating good prognosis in cases of imperforate hymen without urinary tract abnormalities.