Chapter 5: Female Sexual Anatomy and Physiology

vulva

collective designation for the external genitalia of the female

clitoris

erectile organ located under the prepuce; an organ of sexual pleasure

mons veneris or mons pubis

mound of fatty tissue over the female pubic bone

labia majora

two longitudinal folds of skin extending downward and backward from the mons pubis of the biological female

labia minoria

two small folds of mucous membrane lying within the labia majora of the biological female

prepuce

loose fold of skin that covers the clitoris

smegma

natural lubricating residue made up of shed skin cells, skin oil secretions, and moisture, including sweat

clitorectomy

surgical removal of the clitoris; also referred to as circumcision

vestibule

entire region between the labia minora, including the urethra and introitus

introitus

entrance to the vagina

hymen

thin fold of vascularized mucous membrane at the vaginal opening

labiaplasty

surgical procedure to even out or decrease the size of the labia

monsplasty

surgical procedure that reshapes the structure of the mons pubis by removing extra fatty tissue

vaginal rejuvenation

variety of vaginal procedures that may involve creams, injections, laser therapies, or surgeries that can be done for cosmetic or non-cosmetic reasons

vagina

thin-walled muscular tube leading from the uterus to the vestibule that is used for penetrative sex and as a passageway for menstrual fluid, sperm, and a newborn baby

Grafenberge spot (G-spot)

structure said to lie on the anterior (front) wall of the vagina and reputed to be a seat of sexual pleasure when stimulated

uterus

hollow muscular organ in females that is the site of menstruation, implantation of the fertilized ovum, and labor

perimetrium

outer wall of the uterus

myometrium

smooth muscle layer of the uterus

endometrium

mucous membrane lining the uterus

cervix

doughnut-shaped bottom part of the uterus that protrudes into the top of the vagina

os

opening of the cervix that allows passage between the vagina and the uterus

ovulation

phase of the menstrual cycle in which an ovum is released

fallopian tubes

two ducts that transport ova from the ovary to the uterus; also referred to as oviducts

lactation

collective name for milk creation, secretion, and ejection from the nipple

prolactin

hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that initiates and maintains milk secretion

oxytocin

hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates contraction of the uterus for delivery of the newborn and the mammary gland ducts for lactation

anovulation

menstrual cycle during which the ovaries do not release an ovum

follicular phase

phase of the menstrual cycle in which the follicles in the ovaries begin to mature

ovulatory phase

phase of the menstrual cycle when the ovum is released

luteal phase

phase of the menstrual cycle when the corpus luteum begins to form on the ovary

corpus luteum

yellowish endocrine gland in the ovary formed when a follicle has discharged its secondary oocyte

menstrual phase

phase of the menstrual cycle when the endometrial cells shrink and slough off

anemia

deficiency in the oxygen-carrying material of the blood, often causing symptoms of fatigue and other symptoms

negative feedback loop

when one set of hormones controls the production of another set, which, in turn, controls the first, thus regulating the monthly cycle of hormones

gonadotropin-releasing hormone

hormone produced in the hypothalamus that triggers the onset of puberty and sexual development

dysmenorrhea

painful menstruation

menorrhea

excessive menstrual flow

premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

group of physiological and psychological symptoms related to the postovulation phase of the menstrual cycle

premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

most debilitating and severe cases of premenstrual syndrome

posttraumatic stress disorder

stress disorder that follows a traumatic event, causing flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and sleeplessness

endometriosis

growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus

perimenopasue

transition period in a woman’s life, just before menopause

osteoporosis

age-related disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures as a result of decreased levels of estrogens

menopausal hormone therapy

taking of medication containing one or more female hormones used to treat symptoms of menopause

papanicolaou (pap) test

microscopic examination of cells scraped from the cervix

menstrual toxic shock syndrome

bacteria-caused illness, associated with tampons and menstrual products, that can lead to death if left untreated

polycystic ovarian syndrome

endocrine disorder in women that can affect the menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, appearance, and long-term health

uterine fibroid

tumor of muscle and connective tissue (usually noncancerous) that develops within, or is attached to, the uterine wall

vulvodynia

chronic vulvar pain and soreness

vulvovaginal candidiasis

infection of the vagina that involves an overgrowth of yeast; also called a yeast infection

bacterial vaginosis

bacterial infection that can cause vaginal discharge and odor, but it often does not have any symptoms

pelvic inflammatory disease

infection of the female reproductive organs

douching

method of vaginal rinsing or cleaning that involves squirting water or other solutions into the vagina

vaginal steaming

practice of directing heat-infused steam into the vagina by sitting or squatting over a container of herbal infused steam

mammography

procedure for internal imaging of the breasts to evaluate breast disease or screen for breast cancer

radical mastectomy

surgical removal of the breast, its surrounding tissue, the muscles supporting the breast, and underarm lymph nodes

lumpectomy

surgical procedure for breast cancer in which only the tumorous lump and a small amount of surrounding tissue are removed

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

change in the cells on the surface of the cervix that may signal early beginnings of cervical cancer

dilation and curettage (D&C)

surgical scraping of the uterine wall with a spoon-shaped instrument