Chapter 5 Sexuality, Pregnancy, and Childbirth Flashcards
Key Terms and Definitions
Sexuality
A dimension of personality shaped on biological, psychosocial, and cultural forces and concerning all aspects of sexual behavior.
Gonads
The primary reproductive organs that produce germ cells and sex hormones: the ovaries and testes.
Germ Cells
Sperm and ova (eggs).
Ovum
A germ cell produced by a female, which combines with a male germ cell to create a fetus.
Sperm
A germ cell produced by a male, which combines with a female germ cell to create a fetus.
Vulva
The external female genitals, or sex organs.
Clitoris
The highly sensitive female genital structure.
Prepuce
The foreskin of the clitoris or penis.
Urethra
The duct that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Vagina
The passage leading from the female genitals to the internal reproductive organs; the birth canal.
Cervix
The opening of the uterus in the upper part of the vagina.
Uterus
The hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ in which the fertilized egg develops; the womb.
Fallopian Tube
A duct that guides a mature ovum for the ovary to the uterus; also called an oviduct.
Ovaries
The paired female reproductive glands that produce ova (eggs) and sex hormones; ovaries are the female gonads.
Penis
The male genital structure consisting of spongy tissue that becomes engorged with blood during sexual excitement.
Scrotum
The loose sac of skin and muscle fibers that contains the testes.
Testis
One of two male gonads, the site of sperm production; plural, testes. Also called testicle.
Semen
The fluid that carries sperm out of the male penis during ejaculation.
Epididymis
A storage duct for maturing sperm, located on the surface of each testis.
Vas Deferens
A tube that carries sperm from the epididymis through the prostate gland to the seminal vesicles; plural, vasa deferentia.
Prostate Gland
A male reproductive organ; produces some of the fluid in semen, which helps transport and nourish sperm.
Seminal Vesicle
A tube leading from the vas deferens to the ejaculatory duct; secretes nutrients for the semen.
Ejaculatory Duct
A tube that carries mature sperm to the urethra so they can exit the body upon ejaculation.
Cowper’s Gland
In the male reproductive system, a small organ that produces pre-ejaculatory fluid.
Glans
The rounded head of the penis or the clitoris.
Circumcision
Surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.
Androgens
Male sex hormones, produced by the testes.
Estrogens
A class of female sex hormones, produced by the ovaries, that bring about sexual maturation at puberty and maintain reproductive functions.
Progestagens
A class of female sex hormones, produced by the ovaries, that sustain reproductive functions.
Adrenal Glands
Endocrine glands, located over the kidneys, that produce sex hormones.
Pituitary Gland
An endocrine glad at the base of the brain that produces hormones and regulates the release of hormones-including sex hormones- by other glands.
Hypothalamus
A region of the brain above the pituitary gland whose hormones control the secretions of the pituitary; also involved in the control of many bodily functions, including hunger, thirst, temperature regulation, and sexual function.
Sex Chromosomes
The X and Y chromosomes, which determine and individual’s biological sex.
Testosterone
The most important male sex hormone; stimulates and embryo to develop into a male and induces the development of male secondary sex characteristics during puberty.