Chapter 3: Female Sexual Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
Vulva
The external genitals of the female, including the pubic hair, mons veneris, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and urinary and vaginal openings.
Mons veneris
A triangular mound over the pubic bone above the vulva.
Labia majora
The outer lips of the vulva.
Labia minora
The inner lips of the vulva, one on each side of the vaginal opening.
Clitoral hood/prepuce
The foreskin or fold of skin over the clitoris.
Gynecology
The medical practice specializing in women’s health and in diseases of the female reproductive and sexual organs.
Clitoris
A highly sensitive structure of the female external genitals, the only function of which is sexual pleasure.
Clitoral glans
The head of the clitoris, which is richly endowed with nerve endings.
Clitoral shaft
The length of the clitoris between the glans and the body.
Clitoral complex
A sexually reactive complex of structures in the vulva and vagina that engorge with blood during sexual arousal.
Crura
The innermost tips of the cavernous bodies that connect to the pubic bones.
Vestibule
The area of the vulva inside the labia minora (contains the urinary and vaginal openings).
Urethra
The tube through which urine passes from the bladder.
Introitus
The opening to the vagina.
Hymen
Tissue that partially covers the vaginal opening. This can be flexible and may break during a female’s first sexual intercourse or from nonsexual phsyical activity.
Perineum
The area between the vagina and anus of females and the scrotum and anus of males.
Cavernous bodies
The structures in the shaft of the clitoris that engorge with blood during sexual arousal.
Vestibular bulbs
Two bulbs, one on each side of the vaginal opening, that engorge with blood during sexual arousal.
Bartholin’s glands
Two small glands slightly inside the vaginal opening that secrete a few drops of fluid during sexual arousal.
Vagina
A stretchable canal in the female that opens at the vulva and extends about 3 to 5 inches into the pelvis.
Speculum
An instrument used to open the vaginal walls during a gynecological exam.
Mucosa
Collective term for the mucous membranes; moist tissue that lines certain body areas such as the penile urethra, vagina, and mouth.
Rugae
The folds of tissue in the vagina.
Grafenberg spot
Glands and ducts in the anterior wall of the vagina. Some females experience sexual pleasure, arousal, orgasm, and an ejaculation of fluids from stimulation of the Grafenberg spot.
Kegel exercises
A series of exercises that strengthen the muscles underlying the external female or male genitals.
Vasocongestion
The engorgement of blood vessels in particular body parts in response to sexual arousal.