Women's Bodies Terms Flashcards
erogenous zone
a region of the body whose stimulation causes sexual arousal
external genitalia
the sexual structures on the outside of the body
vulva
the female external genitalia
mons ( or mons veneris)
the front-most component of the vulva: a mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic bone
pubic hair
hair that appears on portions of the external genitalia in both sexes at puberty
labia
two pairs of skin folds that form the sides of the vulva
outer labia (or labia majora)
fleshy skin folds, partially covered in pubic hair, that extend from the mons
inner labia ( or labia minora)
thin, hairless folds of skin located between the outer labia and immediately flanking the vestibule
clitoral hood
a loose fold of skin that covers the clitoris
vestibule
the potential space between the left and right inner labia
vasocongestion
the swelling of tissue caused by an influx of blood
labiaplasty
surgical modification of the inner labia
bartholin’s glands
two mucus-secreting glans that help lubricate the vaginal opening
labial adhesion
a condition see in prepubertal girls in which the left and right inner labia stick together
clitoris
the erectile organ in females, whose external portion is located at the junction of the inner labia, just in front of the vestibule
glans
the terminal knob of the clitoris or penis
corpus cavernosum (pl. corpora cavernosa)
either of the two elongated erectile structures within the clitoris or penis that also extend backward into the pelvic floor
corpus spongiosum
a single mid-line erectile structure. in both sexes it fills the glans
smegma
a whitish, greasy secretion that can build up under the hood of the clitoris of the foreskin of the penis
crura (sing. crus)
the two internal extensions of the corpora cavernosa of the clitoris of penis
vestibule bulbs
erectile structures beneath the inner labia, on either side of the vestibule
introitus
the entrance to the vagina usually covered early in life by the hymen
hymen
a membrane, usually perforated or incomplete, that covers the opening of the vagina. it may be torn by the coitus or by other means
imperforate hymen
a hymen that completely closes the introitus
urethra
the canal that conveys urine from the bladder to the urethral opening
perineum
the region of skin between the anus and the vulva or scrotum
pelvic floor muscles
a muscular sling that underlies and supports the pelvic organs
pubociccygeus muscle
a muscle of the pelvic floor that runs from the pubic bone to the coccyx (tailbone). in women it forms a sling around the vagina.
reproductive tract
the internal anatomical structures in either sex that forms the pathways taken by ova, sperm, or the conceptus.
vagina
a muscular tube extending 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) from the vestibule to the uterine cervix
coitus
penetration of the vagina by the penis
sexual intercourse
sexual contact usually understood to involve coitus
birth canal
the canal formed by the uterus, cervix, and vagina, through which the fetus passes during the birth process
muscosa
a surface layer of cells that is lubricated by the secretions of the mucous glands
candidiasis
a fungal infection of the vagina. also called “thrush” or a a “yeast infection”.
douche
to rinse the vagina out with a fluid; the fluid so used
lubrication
the natural appearance of slippery secretions in the vagina during sexual arousal , or the use of artificial lubrication to facilitate sexual activity
Grafenberg spot (G-spot)
a possible area of increased erotic sensitivity on or deep within the front wall of the vagina
paraurethral glands
glands situated next to the female urethra, thought to be equivalent to the prostate gland in males. also known as “Skene’s glands”
anus
the opening from which feces are released
sphincter
a circular muscle around a tube or orifice whose contraction closes it
rectum
the final, straight portion of the large bowel. it connects to the exterior via the anus
uterus
the womb; a pear shaped region of the female reproductive tract through which sperm pass and where the conceptus implants and develops
cervix
the lowermost, narrow portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina
os
the opening in the cervix that connects the vagina with the cervical canal
mucus
a thick-or slippery secretion
endometrium
the internal lining of the uterus
myometrium
the muscular layers of the wall of the uterus
perimetrium
the outer covering of the uterus
menstruation
the breakdown of the endometrium at approximately monthly intervals, with consequent loss of tissue and blood through the vagina
pap test
the microscopic examination of a sample of cells taken from the cervix or (less commonly ) the anus
pelvic examination
a visual and digital examination of the vulva and pelvic organs
colposcopy
the examination of the cervix with the aid of an opening microscope
endometrial cancer
cancer of the endometrium of the uterus
hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus
fibroid
a noncancerous tumor arising from muscle cells of the uterus
endometriosis
the growth of the endometrial tissue at abnormal locations such as the oviducts
prolapse
the slipping out of place of an organ, such as the uterus
oviduct
either of two bilateral tubes that lead from the uterus toward the ovaries, the usual site of fertilization. also called a “Fallopian tube”
cilia
microscopic, hairlike extensions of cells, often capable of coordinated beating motions
fimbria
the fringe at the end of the oviduct, composed of fingerlike extensions
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
an infection of the female reproductive tract, often caused by sexually transmitted organisms
ovary
the female gonad, which produces ova and secretes sex hormones
gonad
an organ that produces ova or sperm and secretes sex hormones
follicle
a fluid-filled sac that contains an egg (ovum), with its supporting cells, within the ovary
ovum
a female gamete, or egg
ovulation
release of an ovum from an ovary
sex steroid
any of the steroid hormones that are active in sexual and reproductive processes
estrogens
any of a class of steroids- that most important being estradiol- that promote the development of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty and that have many other functions in both sexes
estradiol
the principle estrogen, secreted by ovarian follicles
progestins
any of a class of steroids– the most important being progesterone– that cause the endometrium to proliferate and help maintain pregnancy.
progesterone
the steroid hormone secreted by the ovary and the placenta that is necessary for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy
androgen
any of a class of steroids– the most important being testosterone– that promote male sexual development and that have a variety of other functions in both sexes
testosterone
the principal androgen, synthesized in the testicles and in lesser amounts, in the ovaries and adrenal glands
menarche (MEN-ar-kee)
the onset of menstruation at puberty
ovarian cysts
cysts within the ovary, which can arise from a number of different causes
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
a condition marked by excessive secretion of androgens by the ovaries
menstrual phase
the days of the menstrual cycle on which menstrual bleeding occurs
preovulatory phase (follicular phase)
the phase of the menstrual cycle during which follicles are developing in the ovaries
postovulatory phase (luteal phase)
the phase of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and the beginning of menstruation
corpus luteum
a secretory structure in the ovary derived from an ovarian follicle after ovulation
menstrual cup
a cup placed within the vagina that collects the menstrual flow
menstrual cramps
sharp pelvic pains that may accompany or precede menstruation
dysmenorrhea
menstrual pain severe enough to interfere with a woman’s activities
primary dysmenorrhea
painful menstruation that begins at puberty and has no clear cause
secondary dysmeorrhea
painful menstruation that begins during adult life, usually as a consequence of a pelvic disorder
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
a collection of physical and/or psychological symptoms that may start a few days before the menstrual period begins and continues into the period
premenstrual dysphoric disorder
pms- associated mood changes that are severe enough to interfere with relationships
amenorrehea
absence of menstruation
primary amenorrhea
the failure to begin menstruation at puberty
mammary glands
the breast in their functional role as milk-producing glands
secondary sexual characteristics
anatomical characteristics, such as breast and facial hair, that generally differ between the sexes but are not used to define an individual’s sex
lobe
a subdivision of a gland or other organ
alveolus (pl. alveoli)
a microscopic cavity, such as one of those in the breast where milk is produced
areola
the circular patch of darker skin that surrounds the nipple
mastectomy
surgical removal of a breast
mammography
radiographic inspection of the breast
prosthesis
an artificial replacement of a body part
lobules
small subdivisions of an organ, such as the breast
lactiferous sinus
one of the storage areas for milk near the nipple
biopsy
a tissue sample from a living person for diagnostic or (less commonly) for therapeutic purposes
