Soc 152A - terms & functions

Terms & functions for ch2

Erogenous zone

Region of the body whose stimulation causes sexual arousal

• genitals

• Buttocks

• Breast & nipples

• Anus

External genitalia

Sexual structures on the outside of the body

Vulva

Female external genitalia

Mons

Pad of fatty tissue covered by skin; may serve as a cushion for the woman’s pubic area during sexual activity

Pubic Hair

Lies in front of the pubic bone

• lies in front of pubic bone

• Hair helps vaporize odor

Labia (Latin for “lips”)

Pairs of skin folds extending down from the moms on either side of the vulva

Outer Labia/Labia Majora

Fleshy skin folds, partially covered in pubic hair, that extends from the mons

• skin is often darker than the skin elsewhere

• Erotically sensitive

Inner Labia/Labia Minora

Thin, hairless folds of skin located between the outer labia & immediately flanking the vestibule

• in some women, only visible after parting of outer labia

• In other women they protrude to variable degrees

• Meet at back of vulva, & at front, where they form the clitoral hood

• Supplied with glands, blood vessels & nerve endings

Vestibule

The potential space between the left and right inner labia; area encircled by the labia

Vasocongestion

The swelling of tissue caused by an influx of blood

Labiaplasty

Surgical modification of The inner labia

• Possible harmful complications

Labia adhesion

A condition seen in prepubertal girls (2-7yrs) in which the left and right inner labia stick together

• Sometimes causes difficulty in passing urine

• Often cure themselves overtime

• Can encourage to separate by regular cleaning or application of creams prescribed by a doctor if necessary

Bartholin’s glands

Two mucus secreting glands that help lubricate the vaginal opening; Secretions of these glands pass through ducts that open into the vestibule

• Come to attention if one of them becomes blocked or infected

Clitoris

Erectile organ in females, whose external portion is located @ the junction of the inner labia, just in front of the vestibule

• highly sensitive knob of tissue

• Sizes vary

• Swells a becomes firmer during sexual arousal (clitoral erection)

Clitoral erection

Clitoris swells & becomes firmer

• Does not become rigid like a shaft of a mans penis.

  • WHY? Bc erectile tissue is not surrounded by layer of tough connective tissue that resists the tissues expansion

• Clit erection involves Curia & vestibular bulbs

  • erection of Vestibular bulbs help to lengthen & stiffen the vagina

(Clitoral) Glans

External portion. The terminal knob of the clitoris or penis; highly sensitive knob of tissue at front of vestibule

• Size of a pearl; sizes vary

• Covered/ partly covered by clitoral hood

• Can become visible if hood is retracted

• Composed of corpus spongiosum

Clitoral hood

Loose fold of skin that covers the clitoris

• Formed by frontmost portion of the left and right L. Min

Frenulum of the clitoris

An erotically sensitive fold of tissue that connects the labia to the underside of the clitoris

Corpus spongiosum (spongy body)

A single midline erectile structure.

• Fills glans in both sexes

• Composed of erectile tissue

Erectile tissue

Tissue that stiffens an orgasm by filling with blood

• system of vascular spaces that becomes engorged with blood during sexual arousal

Shaft of the clitoris

The portion of the clitoris next to the glans that can be felt under the clitoral hood

• 1 Inch (2-3cm)

Corpora cavernosa(cavernous bodies)/ corpus cavernosum

Either of two elongated erectile structures within the clitoris or penis that also extend backward into the pelvic floor

Crura (singular crus)

The two internal extensions of the corpora cavernosa of the clitoris or penis; run backward & downward to either side of urethra & vagina

• 3in (7cm) long

Vestibular bulbs

Carved masses of erectile structures beneath the inner labia, on either side of the vestibule

• Considered to be internal parts of clitoris

• Composed of corpus spongiosum

Smegma

A whitish - pasty, greasy secretion that can build up under the hood of the clitoris or foreskin of the penis

• When antment-like secretions from underside of clitoral hood (C.H) dry & mix with dead cells & bacteria

Sensory nerve fibers

Their function is to produce sexual arousal(s): (1) psychological arousal( e.g. POS. Excitement); (2) physiological arousal(eg. Vaginal lubrication)

• Clitoris has recreational & reproductive function

Female genital cutting

Any of several forms of ritual cutting or excision of parts of the female genitalia. Aka female genital mutilation or female circumcision

Sunnah

Female genital cutting limited to incision or removal of the clitoral hood

Clitoridectomy

Removal of the entire external portion of the clitoris (glans, shaft, & hood)

Infibulation

The most invasive form of female genital cutting, which involves removal of the clitoris, inner labia, & parts of the outer labia, plus the serving together of the outer labia over the vestibule

Introitus

The entrance to the vagina, usually covered early in life by the hymen

Hymen

A membrane, usually perforated or incomplete, that covers the opening of the vagina. it may be turn by first coltus or by other means

Imperforate hymen

A hymen that completely closes the introitus

Urethra

The canal that conveys urine from the bladder to the urethral opening

Perineum

The regions of skin between the anus & the vulva or scrotum

Pelvic floor muscles

A muscular sling that underlies & supports the pelvic organs

Pubococcygeus muscles

Muscles of the pelvic floor that runs from the pubic bone to the coccyx (tailbone). In women they form a sling around the vagina

Reproductive tract

The internal anatomical structures in either sex that form the pathway taken by ova, sperm, or the conceptus

Vagina

A muscular tube extending 3-4 in. From the vestibule to the uterine cervix

Coitus

Penetration of the vagina by the penis

Sexual intercourse

Sexual contact, usually understood to involve coitus

Birth canal

The canal formed by the uterus, cervix, & vagina, through which the fetus passes during the birth process

Mucosa

A surface layer of cells that is lubricated by secretions of mucous glands

Candidiasis

A fungal infection of the vagina. Aka thrush or a yeast infection

Douche

To rinse the vagina out with a fluid

Lubrication

The natural appearance of slippery secretions in the vagina during sexual arousal, or the use of artificial lubricants to facilitated sexual activity

Gräfenberg spot (g-spot)

A possible area of increased erotic sensitivity on or deep within the front wall of the vagina

Paraurethral glands

Glands next to female urethra, thought to be equivalent to the prostate gland in males. Aka: Skenes glands

Anus

Opening from which feces are discharged

Sphincter

A circular muscle around a tube orifice whose contraction closes it

Rectum

The final, straight portion of the large bowel. It connects to the exterior via the anus

Uterus

Womb; a pear-shaped region of the female reproductive tract through which sperm pass & where the conceptus implants & develops

Cervix

Lowermost, narrow portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina

Os

The opening in the cervix that connects the vagina with the cervical canal

Mucus

A thick or slippery secretion

Endometrium

The internal lining of the uterus

Myometrium

The muscular layers of the wall of the uterus

Perimetrium

Outer covering of the uterus

Menstruation

The breakdown of the endometrium at approximately monthly intervals, with consequent loss of tissue & blood through the vagina

Pap test

The microscopic examination of a sample of cells taken from the cervix or (less commonly) the anus

Colposcopy

Examination of the cervix with the aid of an operating microscope

Pelvic examination

A visual and digital examination of the vulva & pelvic organs

Endometrial cancer

Cancer of the endometrium of the uterus

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus

Fibroid

A noncancerous tumor arising from muscle cells of the uterus

Urine polyp

A tissue of growth from the endometrium that bulges into the urine cavity

Endometriosis

The growth of endometrial his sue at abnormal locations such as the oviducts

Oviduct

Either of two bilateral tubes that lead from the interns toward the ovaries, the usual site of fertilization. Aka Fallopian tubes

Cilia

Microscopic hair like extensions of cells, often capable of coordinated beating motions

Fimbria

The fringe at the end of the oviduct, composed of fingerlike extensions

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

An infection of the female reproductive tract, often caused by sexually transmitted organisms

Ovary

The female gonad, which produces ova & secretes sex hormones

Gonad

An organ that produces ova or sperm & sex hormones

Follicle

A fluid-filled sac that contains an egg (ovum), with its supporting cells, within the ovary

Ovum (plural. Ova)

A female gamete or egg

Ovulation

Release of an ovum from an ovary

Sex steroid

Any of the steroid hormones that are active in sexual & reproductive processes

Estrogens

Any of a class of steroids - the most important being estradiol - that promote the development of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty & that have many other functions in both sexes

Estradiol

Principal estrogen, secreted by ovarian follicles

Progestins

Any of a class of steroids - the most important being progesterone - that cause the endometrium Ho proliferate & help maintain pregnancy

Progesterone

Steroid hormone secreted by the ovary & the placenta that is necessary for the establishment & maintenance of pregnancy

Androgens

Any of a class of steroids - the most important being testosterone - that promote male sexual development& that have a variety of other functions in both sexes

Testosterone

The principal androgen, synthesized in the testicles &, in lesser amounts, in the ovaries & adrenal glands

Menarche

The onset of menstruation at puberty.

Ovarian cysts

Cysts within the ovary, which can arise from a number of different causes

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

A condition marked by excessive secretion of androgens by the ovaries

Menstrual phase

The days of the menstrual cycle on which menstrual bleeding occurs

Mittelschmertz (German: middle pain)

Abdominal pain experienced by some women at the time of ovulation

Preovulatory phase (or follicular phase)

The phase of the menstrual cycle during which follicles are developing in the ovaries

Postovulatory phase (or luteal phase)

The phase of the menstrual cycle between ovulation & the beginning of menstruation

Corpus luteum

A secretary structure in the ovary derived from an ovarian follicle after ovulation

Menstrual toxic shock syndrome

A rare but life-threatening illness caused by a staphylococcal infection & associated with tampon use

Menstrual cup

A cup placed within the vagina that collects the menstrual flow

Menstrual cramps

Sharp pelvic pains that may accompany or precede menstruation

Dysmenorrhea

Menstrual pain severe enough to interfere with a woman's activities

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation that begins at puberty & has no clear cause

Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Pam fun menstruation that begins during adult life, usually as a consequence of a pelvic disorder

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

A collection of physical &/or psychological symptoms that may start a few days before the menstrual period begins & continue into the period

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

PMS - associated mood changes that are severe enough to interfere with relationships

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation