HTH 100 Chapter 9 Key Terms Flashcards
Sexuality
Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with being masculine or feminine, experiencing attraction, etc
Sexual Identity
Recognition of oneself as a sexual being; a composite of biological sex characteristics, gender identity, etc
Gonads
Reproductive organs that produce germ cells and sex hormones; in males, the testes, and in females, the ovaries
Intersexuality
Not exhibiting exclusively male or female sex characteristics; also known as disorders of sexual development (DSD)
Puberty
Period of sexual maturation
Pituitary Gland
Endocrine gland that controls the release of hormones from the gonads
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Characteristics associated with sex but not directly related to reproduction, such as vocal pitch, amount of body hair, etc
Gender
Characteristics and actions associated with being feminine or masculine as defined by society or culture
Gender Roles
Expression of maleness or femaleness in everyday life that conforms to society’s expectations
Socialization
Process by which a society communicates behavioral expectations to its members
Gender-Role Stereotypes
Generalizations concerning how men and women should express themselves and the characteristics each possess
Androgyny
Combination of traditional masculine and feminine traits in a single person
Gender Identity
Personal sense or awareness of being masculine or feminine, a male or a female
Transgender
Having a gender identity that does not match one’s assigned biological sex
Cisgender
Having a gender identity that matches the biological sex an individual is assigned at birth
Sexual Orientation
A person’s enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other persons
Heterosexual
Experiencing primary attraction to and preference for sexual activity with people of the opposite sex
Homosexual
Experiencing primary attraction to and preference for sexual activity with people of the same sex
Bisexual
Experiencing attraction to and preference for sexual activity with people of both sexes
Asexual
A person who does not experience sexual attraction
Gay
Sexual orientation involving primary attraction to people of the same sex
Lesbian
Sexual orientation involving attraction of women to other women
Sexual Prejudice
Negative attitudes and hostile actions directed at those with a different sexual orientation
Vulva
External female genitalia
Mons Pubis
Fatty tissue covering the pubic bone in females; in physically mature women, the mons is covered with coarse hair
Labia Majora
“Outer lips,” or folds of tissue covering the female sexual organs
Labia Minora
“Inner lips,” or folds of tissue just inside the labia majora
Clitoris
Pea-sized nodule of tissue located at the top of the labia minora; central to sexual arousal and pleasure in women
Urethral Opening
Opening through which urine is expelled
Hymen
In some women, a thin tissue covering the vaginal opening
Perineum
Tissue that forms the “floor” of the pelvic region, found between the vulva and the anus
Vagina
Muscular, tube-shaped organ in females that serves as a passageway connecting the vulva to the uterus
Uterus (Womb)
Hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ whose function is to house a developing fetus
Endometrium
Soft, spongy matter that makes up the uterine lining
Cervix
Lower end of the uterus that opens up into the vagina
Ovaries
Almond-sized organs that house developing eggs and produce hormones
Fallopian Tubes
Tubes that extend from near the ovaries to the uterus; site of fertilization and passageway for fertilized eggs
Hypothalamus
Area of the brain located near the pituitary gland; works in conjunction with the pituitary gland to control reproductive functions
Estrogen
Hormone secreted by the ovaries that controls the menstrual cycle and assists in the development of female secondary sex characteristics
Progesterone
Hormone secreted by the ovaries; helps the endometrium develop and helps maintain pregnancy
Menarche
The first menstrual period
Ovarian Follicles
Areas within the ovary in which individual eggs develop
Graafian Follicle
Mature ovarian follicle that contains a fully developed egg (ovum)
Ovum
Single mature egg cell
Ovulation
The point of the menstrual cycle at which a mature egg ruptures through the ovarian wall
Corpus Leteum
Forms from remains of graafian follicle after ovulation; secretes estrogen and progesterone during second half of menstrual cycle
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Mood changes and physical symptoms that occur in some women prior to menstruation
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Group of symptoms similar to but more severe than PMS, including sever mood disturbances
Dysmenorrhea
Condition of pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen just before or during menstruation
Prostaglandin
Hormone-like substance associated with muscle contraction and inflammation
Menopause
Permanent cessation of menstruation; generally occurs after age 45
Hormone Replacement Therapy (Menopausal Hormone Therapy)
Use of synthetic estrogens and progesterone to compensate for hormonal changes in a woman’s body during menopause
Penis
Male organ through which urine and semen are expelled from the body
Ejaculation
Propulsion of semen from the penis
Scrotum
External sac of tissue that encloses the testicles
Testes
Male sex organs that manufacture sperm and produce hormones
Testosterone
Male sex hormone manufactured in the testes
Spermatogenesis
The development of sperm
Epididymis
Duct system atop the testis where sperm mature
Vas Deferens
Tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
Seminal Vesicles
Glandular ducts that secrete nutrients for the semen
Ejaculatory Duct
Tube formed by the junction of the seminal vesicle and the vas deferens that carries semen to the urethra
Semen
Fluid containing sperm and nutrients that increase sperm viability and neutralize vaginal acid
Prostate Gland
Gland that secretes chemicals that help sperm fertilize an ovum and secretes neutralizing fluids into the sperm
Cowper’s Glands
Glands that secrete a preejaculatory fuild that lubricates the urethra and neutralizes any acid remaining in the urethra after urination
Vasocongestion
Engorgement of the genital organs with blood
Sexual Performance Anxiety
Sexual difficulties caused by anticipating some sort of problem during a sex act
Libido
Sexual desire or drive
Inhibited Sexual Desire
Lack of sexual appetite or lack of interest and pleasure in sexual activity
Sexual Aversion Disorder
Desire dysfunction characterized by sexual phobias and anxiety about sexual contact
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for intercourse
Premature Ejaculation
Ejaculation that occurs prior to or almost immediately following penile penetration of the vagina; also known as early ejaculation
Delayed Ejaculation
Persistent difficulty in reaching orgasm despite normal desire and stimulation
Female Orgasmic Disorder
A woman’s inability to achieve orgasm
Dyspareunia
Pain experienced by women during intercourse
Vaginismus
State in which the vaginal muscles contract so forcefully that penetration cannot occur
Abstinence
The avoidance of intercourse, but not other sexual behaviors
Autoerotic Behaviors
Sexual self-stimulation
Sexual Fantasies
Sexually arousing thoughts and dreams
Masturbation
Manual stimulation of genitals
Erogenous Zones
Areas of the body that, when touched, lead to sexual arousal
Cunnilingus
Oral stimulation of a woman’s genitals
Fellatio
Oral stimulation of a man’s genitals
Vaginal Intercourse
Insertion of the penis into the vagina
Anal Intercourse
Insertion of the penis into the anus
Variant Sexual Behavior
A sexual behavior that is not commonly practiced
