Chapter 3 - Female Sexual Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
Pudenda
The external sexual structures of the female.
Vulva
Another term for the external sexual structures of the female.
Mons Veneris
A mound of fatty tissue that covers the joint of the pubic bones in front of the body, below the abdomen and above the clitoris.
Labia Majora
Large folds of skin that run downward from the mons along the sides of the vulva.
Labia Minora
Hairless, light-colored membranes, located between the labia majora.
Clitoris
A female sex organ consisting of a shard and glans located above the urethral opening. It is extremely sensitive to sexual sensations.
Corpora Cavernosa
Masses of spongy tissue in the clitoral shaft that become engorged with blood and stiffen in response to sexual stimulation.
Prepuce
The fold of skin covering the glans of the clitoris (or penis in men).
Homologous
Similar in structure; developing from the same embryonic tissue.
Analogous
Similar in function.
Clitoridectomy
Surgical removal of the clitoris.
Vestibule
The are in the labia minora that contains the openings to the vagina and the urethra.
Urethral Opening
The opening through which urine passes from the female’s body.
Cystitis
An inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Introitus
The vaginal opening.
Hymen
A fold of tissue across the vaginal opening that is usually present at birth and remains at least partially intact until the woman engages in coitus.
Perinium
The skin and underlying tissue that lies between the vaginal opening and the anus.
Crura
Anatomical structures resembling legs that attach the clitoris and the pubic bone.
Vestibular Bulbs
Cavernous structures that extend downward along the sides of the introitus and swell during sexual arousal.
Bartholin’s Glands
Glands that lie just inside the minor lips and secrete fluid just before orgasm.
Vagina
The tubular female sex organ that contains the penis during sexual intercourse and through which a baby is born.
Douche
Application of a jet of liquid to the vagina as a rinse.
Vaginitis
Vaginal inflammation.
Cervix
The lower end of the uterus.
Os
The opening in middle of the cervix.
Pap Test
A test of a sample of cervical cells that screens for cervical cancer and other abnormalities.
Radiotherapy
Treatment of a disease by X-rays or by emissions from a radioactive substance.
Uterus
The hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ in which a fertilized ovum implants and develops until birth.
Fundus
The uppermost later of the uterus.
Endometrium
The innermost layer of the uterus.
Endometriosis
A condition caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity or elsewhere outside the uterus and characterized by menstrual pain.
Myometrium
The middle, well muscled layer of the uterus.
Perimetrium
The outer later of the uterus.
Fallopian Tubes
Tubes that extend from the upper uterus toward the ovaries and that conduct ova to the uterus.
Ectopic Pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
Ovaries
Almond-shaped organs that produce ova and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen
A generic term for female sex hormones or synthetic compounds that promote the development of female sex characteristics and regulate the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone
A steroid hormone secreted by the corpus luteum or prepared synthetically that stimulates proliferation of the endometrium and is involved in regulation of the menstrual cycle.
Follicle
A capsule within an ovary that contains an ovum.
Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus.
Complete Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus.
Partial Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus, but not the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Traits that distinguish the sexes from one another but are not directly involved in reproduction.
Mammary Glands
Milk-secreting glands.
Areola
The dark ring on the breast that encircles the nipple.
Mammography
A special type of X-ray test that detects cancerous lumps in the breast.
Mastectomy
Surgical removal of the entire breast.
Lumpectomy
Surgical removal of a lump from the breast.
Cysts
Sac-like structures filled with fluid or diseased material
Benign
Doing little or no harm.
Fibroadenoma
A benign fibrous tumor.
Malignant
Lethal; cause or likely to cause death.
Menstruation
The cyclical bleeding that stems from the shedding of the uterine lining.
Ovulation
The release of an ovum from the ovary.
Corpus Luteum
The follicle that has released an ovum and then produces copious amounts of progesterone and estrogen during the luteal phase of a woman’s cycle.
Endocrine Gland
A ductless gland that releases its secretions directly into the bloodstream.
Menarche
The first menstrual period.
Hypothalamus
A structure near the center of the brain that is involved in regulating body temperature, motivation, and emotion.
Pituitary Gland
The gland that secretes growth hormone, prolactin, oxytocin, and others.
Hormone
A substance secreted by an endocrine gland that regulates various body functions.
Testes
The male gonads.
Testosterone
The male sex hormone that fosters the development of male sex characteristics and is connected with the sex drive.
Prolactin
A pituitary hormone that stimulates production of milk.
Oxytocin
A pituitary hormone that stimulates uterine contractions in labor and the ejection of milk during nursing.
Gonadotropins
Pituitary hormones that stimulate the gonads.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
A gonadotropin that stimulates development of follicles in the ovaries.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
A gonadotropin that helps regulate the menstrual cycle by triggering ovulation.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (Gn-RH)
A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the pituitary to release gonadotropins.
Proliferative Phase
The first phase of the menstrual cycle, which begins with the end of menstruation and lasts about nine or ten days. During this phase, the endometrium proliferates.
Ovulatory Phase
The second stage of the menstrual cycle , during which a follicle ruptures and releases a mature ovum.
Zygote
A fertilized ovum (egg cell).
Mittelschmerz
Pain that occurs during ovulation, midway between menstrual periods.
Secretory Phase
The third phase of the menstrual cycle, which follows ovulation. Also referred to as the luteal phase, after the corpus luteum, which begins to secrete large amounts of progesterone and estrogen following ovulation.
Menstrual Phase
The fourth phase of the menstrual cycle, during which the endometrium is sloughed off in the menstrual flow.
Tampon
A plug made of cotton or a similar material that is inserted into the vagina to absorb the menstrual flow.
Estrus
The period of time, as controlled by hormone levels, during which females in many species are most receptive to sexual activity.
Menopause
The cessation of menstruation.
Perimenopause
The beginning of menopause, as characterized by 3 to 11 months of amenorrhea or irregular periods.
Climacteric
A long-term process, including menopause, that involves the gradual decline in the reproductive capacity of the ovaries.
Osteoporosis
A condition cause by estrogen deficiency that is characterized by a decline in bone density, such as bones that become porous and brittle.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
The administration of hormones such as estrogen and progestin to alleviate health problems associated with the loss of natural hormones.
Dysmenorrhea
Pain or discomfort that occurs in the absence of known organic problems.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
Menstrual pain or discomfort that is cause by identified organic problems.
Prostaglandins
Hormones that cause muscle fibers in the uterine wall to contract, as during labor.
Mastalgia
A swelling in the breasts that sometimes causes premenstrual discomfort.
Amenorrhea
The absence of menstruation.
Primary Amenorrhea
Lack of menstruation in a woman who has never menstruated.
Secondary Amenorrhea
Lack of menstruation in a woman who has previously menstruated.
Anorexia Nervousa
A psychological disorder of eating characterized by intense fear of pitting on weight and refusal to eat enough to maintain normal body weight.
Premestrual Syndrome (PMS)
A combination of physical and psychological symptoms that regularly afflict many women during the four-to-six day interval that precedes their menses each month.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
A diagnosis used by the American Psychiatric Association to describe cases of PMS that are characterized by severe changes in mood and impairment of functioning at work, at school or in social relationships.
HPV is connected with ____.
Cervical cancer
Urine passes through the _____.
Urethra
Menstrual cramps are thought to be cause by ____.
Prostaglandins
Hot flashes and flushes stem largely from wave of dilation of ______.
Blood vessels
The endometrium develops during the ________ phase of the menstrual cycle.
Proliferative
A surge of _____ triggers ovulation.
Luteinizing Hormone
The ______ is the only organ whose only known purpose is the experiencing of sexual pleasure.
Clitoris
For women who obtain HRT, combining estrogen with ____ lessens the risk of endometrial cancer.
Progestin
Skeptics concerning the G spot are most likely to argue that _____.
The G spot is not a discrete sex organ
When the hypothalamus senses a low level of estrogen in the blood, it increases secretion of Gn-RH which in turn triggers the pituitary gland to release ______.
FSH
