Female Sexual A&P
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ibeadorkable on June 7, 2010
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Chapter 4
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67 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 amenorrhea | The absence of menstruation. |
| Bartholin's glands | Two small glands slightly inside the vaginal opening that secrete a few drops of fluid during sexual arousal. |
| cavernous bodies | The structures in the shaft of the clitoris or penis that engorge with blood during sexual arousal. |
| cervix | small end of the uterus, located at the back of the vagina. |
| climacteric | Physiological changes that occur during the transition period from fertility to infertility in both sexes. |
| clitoris | A highly sensitive structure of the female external genitals, the only function of which is sexual pleasure. |
| corpus luteum | A yellowish body that forms on the ovary at the site of the ruptured follicle and secretes progesterone. |
| crura | The innermost tips of the cavernous bodies that connect to the pubic bones. |
| douching | Rinsing out the vagina with plain water or a variety of solutions. It is usually unnecessary for hygiene, and douching too often can result in vaginal irritation. |
| dysmenorrhea | Pain or discomfort before or during menstruation. |
| ectopic pregnancy | A pregnancy that occurs when a fertilized ovum implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. |
| endometriosis | A condition in which uterine tissue grows on various parts of the abdominal cavity. |
| endometrium | The tissue that lines the inside of the uterine wall. Innermost of the 3 layers of the uterine wall. |
| fallopian tubes | Two tubes, extending from the sides of the uterus, in which the egg and sperm travel. |
| fimbriae | Fringelike ends of the fallopian tubes, into which the released ovum enters. |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | A pituitary hormone secreted by a female during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. FSH stimulates the development of ovarian follicles. In males it stimulates sperm production. |
| glans | The head of the clitoris or penis, which is richly endowed with nerve endings. |
| G-spot | Glands and ducts in the anterior wall of the vagina. Some women experience sexual pleasure, arousal, orgasm, and an ejaculation of fluids from stimulation of the Grafenberg spot. |
| gynecology | The medical practice specializing in women's health and in diseases of the female reproductive and sexual organs. |
| hormone therapy | The use of supplemental hormones during and after menopause or following surgical removal of the ovaries. |
| hymen | Tissue that partially covers the vaginal opening. Usually is torn after intercourse. Cultural significance in some cultures. |
| hysterectomy | Surgical removal of the uterus. |
| introitus | The opening to the vagina. |
| Kegel exercises | A series of exercises that strengthen the muscles underlying the external female or male genitals |
| Labia majora | The outer lips of the vulva. |
| Labia minora | The inner lips of the vulva, one on each side of the vaginal opening. |
| luteinizing hormone | The hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates ovulation in the female. In males it is called the interstitial cell hormone (ISCH) and stimulates production of androgens by the testes. |
| mammary glands | Glands in the female breast that produce milk. |
| mammography | A highly sensitive X-ray test for the detection of breast cancer. |
| mastectomy | Surgical removal of the breast(s). |
| menarche | The initial onset of menstrual periods in a young woman. |
| menopause | Cessation of menstruation as a result of the aging process or surgical removal of the ovaries. |
| menstrual phase | The phase of the menstrual cycle during which menstruation occurs. |
| menstrual synchrony | Simultaneous menstrual cycles that sometimes occur among women who live in close proximity. |
| menstruation | The sloughing off of the built-up uterine lining that takes place if conception has not occurred. |
| mons veneris | A triangular mound over the pubic bone above the vulva. |
| mucosa | Collective term for the mucous membranes; moist tissue that lines certain body areas such as the penile urethra, vagina, and mouth. |
| myometrium | The smooth muscle layer of the uterine wall. The middle of the 3 layers of the uterine wall. |
| neuropeptide hormones | Chemicals produced in the brain that influence sexuality and other behavioral functions. |
| oophorectomy | Surgical removal of the ovaries. |
| os | The opening in the cervix that leads to the interior of the uterus. |
| ovaries | Female gonads that produce ova and sex hormones. |
| pap smear | A screening test for cancer of the cervix. |
| perimenopause | The time period before menopause when estrogen is decreasing. |
| perimetrium | thin outermost membrane covering the outside of the uterus. |
| perineum | The area between the vagina and anus of the female and the scrotum and anus of the male. |
| premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | Premenstrual symptoms severe enough to significantly disrupt a woman's functioning. |
| premenstrual syndrome (PMS) | Symptoms of physical discomfort and emotional irritability that occur 2 to 12 days before menstruation. |
| prepuce | The foreskin or fold of skin over the clitoris. |
| proliferative phase | phase of the menstrual cycle during which the ovarian follicles mature. |
| rugae | The folds of tissue in the vaginal wall. Secretions help to maintain the pH balance of the vagina. |
| secondary sex characteristics | The physical characteristics other than genitals that indicate sexual maturity, such as body hair, breasts, and deepened voice. |
| secretory phase | The phase of the menstrual cycle during which the corpus luteum develops and secretes progesterone. |
| serotonin | A neurotransmitter that inhibits sexual arousal and activity. |
| shaft | The length of the clitoris or penis between the glans and the body. |
| smegma | A cheesy substance of glandular secretions and skin cells that sometimes accumulates under the foreskin of the penis or hood of the clitoris. |
| speculum | An instrument used to open the vaginal walls during a gynecological exam. The speculum opens the walls of the vaginal canal. |
| toxic shock syndrome (TSS) | A disease that occurs most commonly in menstruating women and that can cause a person to go into shock. |
| urethra | The tube through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body. |
| uterus | A pear-shaped organ inside the female pelvis, within which the fetus develops. |
| vagina | A stretchable canal in the female that opens at the vulva and extends about 4 inches into the pelvis. |
| vaginitis | Inflammation of the vaginal walls caused by a variety of vaginal infections. |
| vasocongestion | The engorgement of blood vessels in particular body parts in response to sexual arousal. |
| vestibular bulbs | Two bulbs, one on each side of the vaginal opening, that engorge with blood during sexual arousal. |
| vestibule | The area of the vulva inside the labia minora. |
| vulva | The external genitals of the female, including the pubic hair, mons veneris, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and urinary and vaginal openings. |
| Ovulation | release of a mature ovum from the ovary. |
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