Studied by 13 people
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
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