Sexology Terms

cultivation

1 type of media influence; notion that people begin to think that what they see in media represents what actually happens in our culture

agenda setting

1 type of media influence; media chooses what to emphasize & what to ignore

social learning

1 type of media influence; people in media are viewed as role models & imitated by viewers

ethnocentrism

The tendency to regard one’s own ethnic group and culture as superior to others and to believe that its customs and way of life are the standards by which other cultures should be judged

women of ___ social class are more likely to use the contraceptive pill, more likely to marry the first partner they live with

high

sexual health

a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality

sexual rights

Basic, inalienable rights regarding sexuality, both positive and negative, such as rights to reproductive self-determination and sexual self-expression and freedom from sexual abuse and violence

sociobiology

the application of evolutionary biology to understanding the social behavior of animals, including humans

symbolic interaction theory

A theory based on the premise that human nature and the social order are products of communication among people (people need to ascribe similar meanings to objects & people in order to communicate successfully)

sexual field

a physical site with people who have erotic dispositions that they project on the space and e/o, creating a system of sexual stratification

The Kinsley Report

1938 - 1949

* sample = only white people; no info on how adequate the sample was
* conducted interviews
* very successful at minimizing purposeful distortion
* results might have a lot of systematic errors; accuracy is unknown

NHSLS (National Health & Social Life Survey)

1994

* probability sampling of US households
* adults age 18 - 59 → excluded older adults
* excluded some small minority groups
* face-to-face interview + written interview

NSSHB (National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior)

2009

* probability sample of people age 14 - 94
* online survey
* anonymity → perhaps more honest responses

ethnography

qualitative research method that aims to provide a complete, probing description of a human society

Masters & Johnson’s model of human sexual response

excitement → orgasm → resolution

vasocongestion

blood flows into blood vessels of the genitals, as a result of dilation of blood vessels in the region

myotonia

when muscles contract (in genitals / throughout body)

excitement

phase 1: where vasocongestion happens

how erection happens

* dopamine released in response to erotic stimuli


* parasympathetic activation
* cellular activation
* arteries that supply corpora cavernosa & corpus spongiosum dilate, allowing strong flow of blood into corpora; veins carrying blood away from penis are compressed, restricting outgoing blood flow

neurotransmitters involved: nitric oxide, dopamine

vasoconstriction

process that makes an erection go away

\
neurotransmitters involved: epinephrine, norepinephrine

how vaginal lubrication happens

vasocongestion; capillaries in walls of vagina dilate; blood flow through them increases. lubrication happens when fluids seep in through semi-permeable membranes of vaginal walls

orgasmic platform

tightening of bulbospongiosus muscle around entrance of vagina; vaginal entrance becomes smaller

how nipples become erect

contractions of muscle fibers surrounding nipple

orgasm

series of rhythmic contractions of pelvic organs at 0.8-second intervals

step 1: seminal vesicles & prostate contract → cum goes into a bulb at the base of urethra

step 2: urethral bulb & penis contract rhythmically → semen goes out

how detumescence (loss of erection) happens

step 1: corpora cavernosa is emptied; still enlarged but not erect

step 2: corpus spongiosum & glans are slowly emptied; returns to normal size

physiologically there are __ kinds of orgasm in women

1

Kaplan’s triphasic model

3 independent (not successive) stages of sexual response


1. sexual desire (cognitive component)
2. vasocongestion of genitals
* autonomic NS
* involves blood vessels
* less affected by injury, drugs, age
* can’t really be voluntarily controlled
3. muscular contractions during orgasm
* sympathetic NS
* involves muscles
* more affected by injury, drugs, age
* can be voluntarily controlled

sexual excitation-inhibition model

dual control model of sexual response; 2 processes:


1. excitation
2. inhibition

* being in the moderate range → good functioning
* being too high on excitation → high-risk behavior
* being too high on inhibition → sexual disorders

ejaculation reflex

* 2 ejaculation centers higher in spinal cord (both SNS & PSNS)
* penis responds to stimulation by sending message to ejaculation center in spinal cord → sends out message via nerves in SNS → muscle contractions in organs involved in ejaculation

erection reflex

* tactile stimulation → sends signal to erection center in bottom of spinal cord → sends message via PSNS to muscles around walls of penis → muscles relax, arteries expand, blood comes

retrograde ejaculation

A condition in which orgasm in the male is not accompanied by an external ejaculation; instead, the ejaculate goes into the urinary bladder

\
happens b/c action of 2 ejaculation sphincters is reversed

clitoris reflexes

sensory input to clitoris travels along dorsal nerve of clitoris → continues to a reflex center in sacral spinal cord

3 phases of sexual response according to neuropsych research

1. anticipatory phase
* involves sexual interest network (NAcc, pACC, amygdala, hypothalamus) - part of limbic system
2. consummatory phase
* genital stimulation → activity in motor cortex
* activity in somatosensory cortex
* reduced amygdala activity (indicates that it’s diff from desire)
* waves of decreased excitement / de-arousal
3. post-orgasmic period
* activity in septal area, temporal lobe & amygdala

sexual excitement neurochemicals

attention to sexual stimuli = dopamine & melanocortin

sexual arousal & erection = norepinephrine & oxytocin

inhibition neurochemicals

* opioids, which are released in the cortex, limbic system, hypothalamus, and midbrain in response to sexual pleasure and orgasm/ejaculation
* endocannabinoids, which induce sedation (and counteract stress!)
* serotonin, which induces satiety and the refractory period

organizing effects (hormones)

hormones present during prenatal development have important influences on genital anatomy, creating male or female genitals

acitvating effects (Hormones)

hormone effects that activate or deactivate certain behaviors (ex: castration of rat → no sexual behavior, but testosterone injections can bring sexual behavior back)

androgens

hormones affecting sexual behavior (testosterone increases sexual behavior in men; if all androgens are removed in women, they feel no sexual desire)

\
also bidirectional (masturbation → increased testosterone)

pheromones

biochemical secreted outside the body; communicated through animals by smell

vomeronasal organ (VNO)

region of olfactory bulbs that’s a chemoreceptor, activated by pheromones

* activates cells in hypothalamus

\
\*humans don’t have this, but some other receptors pick up on pheromones & transmit messages to hypothalamus & amygdala

vulva

external genitals of females (consists of clitoris, mons pubis, inner lips, outer lips & vaginal opening)

clitoris

glans (tip) - knob of tissue situated externally in front of the vaginal opening and the urethral opening

shaft - two corpora cavernosa (spongy bodies similar to those in the male’s penis) that extends perhaps an inch into the body

crura - two longer spongy bodies that lie deep in the body and run from the tip of the clitoris to either side of the vagina, under the major lips

mons pubis

rounded, fatty pad of tissue covered w/ pubic hair at the front of the body; lies on top of pubic bones

outer labia

rounded pads of fatty tissue lying along both sides of the vaginal opening; they are covered with pubic hair

inner labia

two hairless folds of skin lying between the outer lips and running right along the edge of the vaginal opening

bartholin glands

Two tiny glands located on either side of the vaginal entrance

have no clear function

perineum

The skin between the vaginal entrance and the anus.

intriotus

the vaginal entrance

hymen

a thin membrane which, if present, partially covers the vaginal opening

vagina

The tube- shaped organ in the female into which the penis is inserted during coitus and through which a baby passes during birth

layers of vaginal wall

1. vaginal mucosa: inner layer of vaginal wall; mucous membrane similar to inner lining of mouth
2. muscular layer
3. outer layer; forms a covering

pubococcygeus muscle

muscle around vaginal entrance that may be stretched during child birth & may be weak; recommended to exercise it if it’s weak

vestibular bulbs

Erectile tissue running under the inner lips

skene’s gland / female prostate

“g spot”; responsible for female ejaculation

between wall of urethra & wall of vagina

ducts empty. into the urethra

cervix

lower third of uterus; opens into vagina

fundus

main part of uterus

3 layers of uterus

endometrium: inner layer; richly supplied with glands and blood vessels; this is what creates menstrual discharge

myometrium: muscular layer; very strong, creating the powerful contractions of labor and orgasm, and also highly elastic, capable of stretching to accommodate a nine-month-old fetus

perimetrium: external cover of uterus

fallopian tubes / oviducts

pathway by which the egg travels toward the uterus and the sperm reach the egg

ovaries

produce eggs & manufacture sex hormones estrogen & progesterone

follicle = capsule in ovary that surrounds an egg

penis

The male external sexual organ, which functions both in sexual activity and in urination

* glans: tip
* meatus / urethral opening: opening at end of glans
* shaft: main part
* corona: raised ridge at the edge of the glans

corpora cavernosa

Spongy bodies running the length of the top of the penis

corpus spongiosum

A spongy body running the length of the underside of the penis

foreskin

A layer of skin covering the glans or tip of the penis in an uncircumcised male

circumcision pros

reduces risk of cervical cancer, some STIs, urinary infection

scrotum

The pouch of skin that contains the testes in the male

testes

reproductive glands, of the male, which are analogous to the female’s ovaries. Like the ovaries, they serve two major functions: to manufacture germ cells (sperm) and sex hormones, in particular *testosterone*

seminiferous tubules

internal part of testes that is important for manufacturing & storing sperm

interstitial cells

internal part of testes that produce testosterone; pour the hormones directly into blood vessels in the testes

epididymis

a long tube coiled into a small crescent-shaped region on the top and side of the testis. The sperm are stored in the epi- didymis, in which they mature, possibly for as long as six weeks

vas deferens

The tube through which sperm pass on their way from the testes and epididymis, out of the scrotum, and to the urethra

seminal vesicles

Saclike structures that lie above the prostate and produce about 60 percent of the seminal fluid

prostate

The gland in the male, located below the bladder, that secretes some of the fluid in semen

cowper’s glands

Glands that secrete a clear alkaline fluid into the male’s urethra; neutralizes the acidity of urethra, to allow for safe passage of sperm

breast cancer causes

* genetic factors
* long-term use of menopausal hormone therapy
* obesity

lumpectomy

removal of a breast lump & small bit of surrounding tissues

radical masectomy

removal of entire breast, underlying pectoral muscle & underarm lymph nodes

cervical cancer causes

HPV (risk increased by early heterosexual intercourse & more sexual partners)

female cancer treatment

if cervical cancer detected early…

* cryotherapy: nonsurgical technique using extreme cold to destroy just the abnormal cells
* cone biopsy: segment of cervix surgically removed

endometrial cancer…

* hysterectomy: surgical removal of uterus

ovarian cancer…

* oophorectomy: surgical removal of ovaries

prostate cancer treatment

* remove some or all of the prostate

\
* hormone therapy

hypothalamus

important for regulatory mechanisms like hunger, thirst, circadian rhythm, sex, etc.

\
regulates the pituitary, which regulates the other glands, in particular the testes and ovaries

pituitary gland

A small endocrine gland located on the lower side of the brain below the hypothalamus; the pituitary is important in regulating levels of sex hormones

FSH

A hormone secreted by the pituitary; it stimulates follicle development \n in females and sperm production in males. \n

LH

A hormone secreted by the pituitary; it regulates estrogen secretion and ovum development in females and testosterone production in males

GnRH

**(gonadotropin-releasing hormone)** A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that regulates the pituitary’s secretion of gonad- stimulating hormones \n

HPG axis

Hypothalamus-pituitary- gonad axis, the negative feedback loop that regulates sex-hormone production

inhibin

A hormone secreted by the testes and ovaries that regulates FSH levels

prolactin

A pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production by the mammary glands

oxytocin

A pituitary hormone that stimulates milk ejection from the nipples and contractions of the uterus during childbirth

gonads begin differentiation at ___ weeks

7

SRY

(sex-determining region, Y chromosome):

gene that directs differentiation of gonads, located on Y chromosome

differentiation of genitals in female

In the female the Wolffian ducts degenerate, and the **Müllerian ducts** turn into the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina. The tubercle becomes the clitoris, the folds become the inner lips, and the swelling develops into the outer lips

differentiation of genitals in male

The testes secrete Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS) (Vilain, 2000). MIS causes the Müllerian ducts to degenerate, while the **Wolffian ducts,** supported by testosterone, turn into the epididymis, the vas deferens, and the ejaculatory duct. The tubercle becomes the glans penis, the folds form the shaft of the penis, and the swell- ing develops into the scrotum

müllerian ducts

Ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in males they degenerate, and in females they develop into the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina

Wolffian ducts

Ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in females they degenerate, and in males they develop into the epididymis, the vas deferens, and the ejaculatory duct

cryptorchidism

Undescended testes; the condition in which the testes do not descend to the scrotum as they should during prenatal development

female hypothalamus cells have __

estrogen receptors; if these are exposed to testosterone during fetal development, they become insensitive to estrogen; if they are exposed to estrogen, they become highly sensitive to estrogen

homologous organs

When an organ in males and an organ in females both develop from the same embryonic tissue

analogous organs

when 2 organs have similar functions

intersex

A condition in which \n the individual has a mixture of male and female reproductive structures, so that it is not clear \n at birth whether the individual is a male or a female

congenital adrenal hyperplasia

syndrome that can cause intersex condition

\


a genetic female develops ovaries normally as a fetus, but later in the course of prenatal development, the adrenal gland begins to function abnormally (as a result of a recessive genetic condition unconnected with the sex chromo- somes) and produces an excess amount of androgens



→ external partly or fully male appearance