Introduction

The hymen
is a thin membrane of stratified squamous epithelium circumscribing the vaginal introitus.
The hymen is minimally innervated and predominantly consists of fibrous connective tissue with some elastic fibers and glycogen granules on the vaginal and vulvar surfaces. Both of its surfaces are surrounded by stratified squamous epithelium without glands.

When the hymen does not spontaneously rupture during neonatal development, it is referred to as an imperforate hymen. An imperforate hymen can present with obstructive symptoms of the female genital and urinary tract during the perinatal, pediatric, or adolescent years.