Chapter 3: Female Sexual Anatomy, Physiology, and Response Flashcards
the sexual and reproductive organs of both men and women
genitals
the external female genitals that contain the mons pubis, the clitoris, the labia majora, and the labia minora
vulva
a pad of fatty tissue that covers the area of the pubic bone about 6 inches below the navel
mons pubis (mons veneris)
the center of sexual arousal
clitoris
a high concentration of sensory nerve endings and is exquisitely sensitive to stimulation, especially at the tip of the shaft
glans clitoris
a fold of skin that covers the glans when the clitoris is not engorged
clitoral hood
scents that the body produces that can be sexually stimulating to others
pheromones
tips of erectile tissue that attach to the pelvic bones
crura
hollow chambers in the crura that fill with blood and swell during arousal
corpora cavernosa
two folds of spongy flesh that extend from the mons pubis and run downward along the sides of the vulva
labia majora (outer lips)
the smaller folds within the labia majora that meet above the clitoris to form the clitoral hood
labia minora (inner lips)
the area enclosed by the labia minora
vestibule
glands that secrete a small amount of moisture during sexual arousal
Bartholin’s glands
a flexible, muscular structure that extends 3-5 inches back and upward from the vaginal opening in which menstrual flow and babies pass
vagina
the area through which an infant is born, allows menstrual flow to pass from the uterus, and encompasses the penis or other object during sexual expression
birth canal
the vaginal opening where majority of sensory nerve endings are concentrated
introitus
a thin membrane containing a relatively large number of blood vessels partially covering the introitus
hymen
located on the upper front wall of the vagina, an erotically sensitive area that may produce intense erotic pleasure and a fluid emission in some women
Gräfenberg spot (G-spot)
a hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ in which a fertilized ovum implants and develops until birth
uterus (or womb)
lower end of the uterus that extends down and opens to the vagina
cervix
inner lining of the uterine wall to which the fertilized egg attaches; partly discharged (if pregnancy does not occur) with the menstrual flow
endometrium
organ that produces gametes
ovary (gonad)
opening to the cervix
Os
the sex cells containing the genetic material necessary for reproduction; also referred to as oocytes, eggs, ova (singular, ovum)
gametes
female gametes
oocytes
the release of an oocyte
ovulation
saclike structures that contain the immature oocytes
ovarian follicles
tissue formed from a ruptured ovarian follicle that produces important hormones after the oocyte emerges
corpus luteum
uterine tubes that transport the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus
fallopian tubes (oviducts)
the funnel-shaped end of each fallopian tube
infundibulum
finger like projections that drape over the ovary and help transport the oocyte from the ovary into the fallopian tube
fimbriae
the tiny, hairlike structures that provide waving motion to help transport the oocyte within the fallopian tube to the ovary
cilia
the tube through which urine passes
urethra
the opening in the uterus, through which urine is expelled
urethral opening
the opening of the rectum, through which excrement passes
anus
a diamond-shaped region between the vagina and the anus
perineum
the underside of the pelvic area extending from the top of the pubic bone (above the clitoris) to the anus
pelvic floor
milk prduction
lactation
a mature female breast that is composed of fatty tissue and 15-25 lobed that radiate around a central protruding nipple
mammary gland
a ring of darkened skin around the nipple
areola
small glands within the lobes that begin to produce milk
alveoli
widened part of the fallopian tube in which fertilization normally occurs
ampulla
chemical substances that serve as messengers, traveling within the body through the bloodstream
hormones
sex drive or interest
libido
hormones that act directly on the gonads
gonadotropins
promotes maturation of gonads, regulates menstrual cycle
gonatropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
assists in production of estrogen and progesterone, regulates maturation of ovarian follicles, triggers ovulation
luteinizing hormone (LH)
regulated ovarian function and maturation of ovarian follicles
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
affect the maturation of the reproductive organs, menstruation, and pregnancy
estrogen
helps maintain the uterine lining until menstruation occurs
progesterone
the production of oocytes; the ovarian cycle
oogenises
the more-or-less monthly process during which oocytes are produced
ovarian cycle
the menstrual flow that generally occurs over a period of 3-5 days
menses
a girls first menstruation
menarche
a girls first menstruation
menarche
the phase lasting about 9 days when the endometrium thickens in response to increased estrogen
proliferative phase
the phase of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrium begins to prepare for the arrival of a fertilized ovum; without fertilization, the corpus luteum begins to degenerate
secretory phase
simultaneous menstrual cycles that occur among women who work or live together
menstrual synchrony
a more persistent, aching, and serious pain sufficient to limit a woman’s activities
dysmenorrhea
a diagnosis that includes severe, distinct, and persistent symptoms associated with menstruation
pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder
when women do not menstruate for reasons other than aging
amenorrhea
when women do not menstruate for reasons other than aging
amenorrhea
a bacterial infection that can occur in menstruating women and cause her to go into shock
toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
the climax of sexual sensation that involves rhythmic contractions in the genital area and intensely pleasurable sensations
orgasm
the sequence of changes and patterns that take place in the body during sexual arousal
sexual response cycle
model of sexual response that identifies the significant stages of response as excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution
Masters and Johnson’s four-phase model sexual response
model of sexual response that consists of desire, excitement, and orgasm phases
Kaplan’s tri-phasic model of sexual response
sexual response model which incorporates both the biological and affective components into a six-stage cycle
Loulan’s sexual response model
the swelling of the genital tissues with blood in both men and women
vasocongestion
increased muscle tension accompanying the approach of an orgasm
myotonia
increased muscle tension accompanying the approach of an orgasm
myotonia
provides a theoretical perspective of sexual response that is based on brain function and the interaction between sexual excitation (responding with arousal to sexual stimuli) and sexual inhibition (inhibiting sexual arousal)
dual control model
those structures of the brain that are associated with emotions and feelings and involved in sexual arousal
limbic system
certain areas of the skin that are highly sensitive to touch
erogenous zones
a hormone more commonly associated with contractions during labor and with breastfeeding
oxytocin
a steroid hormone associated with sperm production, the development of secondary sex characteristics in males, and the sex drive in both males and females
testosterone
a hormone more commonly associated with contractions during labor and with breastfeeding
oxytocin
the process of one of the first signs of sexual excitement in women is the seeping of moisture through the vaginal walls
sweating (vaginal transudation)
the expansion of the inner two thirds of the vagina during sexual arousal
tenting
a darkening of the skin or rash that temporarily appears as a result of blood rushing to the skin’s surface during sexual excitement
sex flush
the thickening of the walls that occurs in the plateau stage of the sexual response cycle
orgasmic platform
a peak sensation of intense pleasure that creates an altered state of consciousness and is accompanied by involuntary, rhythmic uterine and anal contractions, myotonia, and a state of well-being and contentment
orgasm
