Human Sexuality Chapter 3 – Flashcards
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Sex Organ
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The Clitoris. Woman are the only ones that possess a sex organ that is solely devoted to pleasurable sensations.
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Pudenda / Vulva
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The external sexual structures of the female.
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Vulva / Pudenda
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The external sexual structures of the female.
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Mons Veneris
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A mound of fatty tissue that covers the joint of the pubic bones in the front of the body, below the abdomen and above the clitoris. It also cushions a woman's body during sexual intercourse.
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Labia Majora
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Large folds of skin that run downward from the mons along the sides of the vulva. It shields the inner female genitals.
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Lavia Minora
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Hairless, light-colored membranes, located between the labia majora. They surround the urethral and vaginal openings. When stimulated, they darken and swell, engorging with blood.
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Clitoris
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A female sex organ consisting of a shaft and glans located above the urethral opening. It is extremely sensitive to sexual sensations.
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Corpora Cavernosa
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Masses of spongy tissue in the clitoral shaft that become engorged with blood and stiffen in response to sexual stimulation.
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Prepuce
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The fold of skin covering the glans of the clitoris. (or penis) Also called "hood".
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Homologous
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Similar in structure; developing from the same embryonic tissue. The clitoris and penis are similar because they are developed from the same embryonic tissue.
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Analogous
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Similar in function
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Clitoridectomy
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Surgical removal of the clitoris. This is a common in Muslims in the Near East and Africa, It is considered a "rite of passage" to womanhood.
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Vestibule
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The area in the labia minora that contains the openings to the vagina and the urethra.
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Clitoral Glans
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A smooth, round knob or lump of tissue above the urethral opening. It is highly sensitive to the touch because of the rich supply of nerve endings.
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Koran
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Islamic Bible ( no support for Clitoral Mutilation found in the Koran)
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Excision
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A more radical form of clitoridectomy. It is the removal of the clitoris along with the labia minora and labia majora. Only a tiny opening is left to allow passage of urine and menstrual discharge. The sewing together of the vulva is intended to ensure chastity until marriage. After marriage the opening is enlarges to permit intercourse.
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Urethral Opening
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The opening through which urine passes from the female's body. It is connected to the bladder by a short tube called urethra. The urethral opening, urethra and bladder are unrelated to the reproductive system.
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Urinary Tract
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Includes the urethra, bladder and kidneys.
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Cystitis
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An inflammation of the urinary bladder. Symptoms include: burning and frequent urination, pus or bloody discharge and discomfort about the pubic bone. If left untreated it can lead to kidney infection.
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Urinary Urgency
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Frequent urination
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Honeymoon Cystitis
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Caused by the tugging on the bladder and urethral wall that occurs during vaginal intercourse. It may occur after having sex for the first time or after not having sex for awhile.
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Introitus
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The vaginal opening
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Hymen
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A fold of tissue across the vaginal opening that is usually present at birth and remains at least partly intact until a woman engages in sex. (Coitus) Also named "maidenhead". Only found in female horses and humans. Doesn't serve a biological function.
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Hymenoplasty
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Muslim woman in Europe have this operation prior to marriage. It restores the hymen to provide the illusion of virginity on their wedding night.
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Parous
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Means passed through
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Imperforate
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Thick tissue that is closed. Some women with have to have surgery if menstrual discharge starts to build up because of this.
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Perineum
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the skin and underlying tissue that lies between the vaginal opening and the anus.
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Episiotomy
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A routine perineal incision made during labor to help facilitate childbirth.
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Crura
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Anatomical structures wing-shaped,leg-like structures that attach the clitoris to the pubic bone. It contains corpora cavernosa which engorge with blood and stiffen during sex.
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Vestibular Bulbs
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Cavernous structures that extend downward along the sides of the introitus and swell during sexual arousal. Swells the vulva and lengthening the vagina.
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Bartholin's Glands
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Glands that lie just inside the minor lips and secrete fluid just before orgasm.
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Internal Sex Organs
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Innermost parts of the vagina, cervix, the uterus and two ovaries, each connected to the uterus by a fallopian tube.
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Vagina
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The tubular female sex organ that contains the penis during sexual intercourse and through which a baby is born. Usually 3-5 inches at rest.
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Douche
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Application of a jet of liquid to the vagina as a rinse.
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Vaginitis
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Vaginal inflammation.
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Cervix
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The lower end of the uterus.
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Os
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The opening in the middle if the cervix.
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Pap Test
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A test of a sample of cervical cells that screens for cervical cancer and other abnormalities.
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Radiotherapy
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Treatment of a disease by X-rays or by emissions from a radioactive substance.
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Uterus / Womb
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The hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ in which a fertilized ovum implants and develops until birth.
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Fundus
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The uppermost part of the uterus.
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Endometrium
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Th innermost layer of the uterus,
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Endometriosis
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A condition caused by the growth of endometial tissue in the abdominal cavity or elsewhere outside the uterus and characterized by menstrual pain.
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Myometrium
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The middle, well-muscled layer of the uterus. It endows the uterus with flexibility and strength and creates the powerful contractions the propel a fetus outward during labor.
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Perimetrium
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The outer layer of the uterus. Provides and external cover.
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Fallopian Tubes
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Tubes that extend from the upper uterus toward the ovaries and conduct ova to the uterus. Are about 4 inches in length and extend from the upper end of the uterus toward to ovaries.
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Ectopic Pregnancy
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A pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. They can eventually burst fallopian tubes, causing hemorrhaging and death. These pregnancies are terminated before the tube ruptures.
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Endometrial Cancer
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Cancer of the endometrial lining. Symptoms are abnormal uterine staining or bleeding, especially after menopause. Surgery is the most common treatment.
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Isthmus
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The part of the fallopian tubes that is closest to the uterus, which broadens into the ampulla as it approaches the ovary.
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Infundibulum
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The outer part of the fallopian tubes. Fertilization usually occurs here within a couple of inches of the ovaries.
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Fimbriae
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The fallopian tube fringelike projections that extend toward, but is are not attached to the Ovary.
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Cilia
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Hairlike projections that line the fallopian that help propel ova through the tube at about 1 inch per day.
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Tubal Ligation
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A form of sterilization where the fallopian tubes are tied off so that ova cannot pass through the or become fertilized.
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Ectopic Pregnancy Signs
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Missed menstrual period Abdominal pain Irregular bleeding
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Ovaries
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Almond shaped organs that produce ova and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. They are each about 1 1/2 inches long.
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Estrogen
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Generic term for several female sex hormones or synthetic compounds that promote the development of female sex charactristics and regulate the menstrual cycle. (Estradiol, estriol amd estrone.) Helps older women maintain cognitive functioning and psychological well being.
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Progesterone
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A steroid hormone secreted by the corpus luteum or prepared synthetically that stimulates the developement of the endometrium (uterine lining) to prepare for pregnancy and is involved in regulation of the menstrual cycle.
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Ova
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A female is born with all the ova she will ever have (about million), they are in an immature form. Of these, about 400,000 survive into puberty each of which are contained in the ovary with a follicle. From puberty to menopause only 400 or so ripened ova, typically 1 per month will be released by their follicles for possible fertilization.
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Follicles
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A capsule within an ovary that contains an ovum.
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Ovarian Cancer
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Cancer of the ovaries. It is the 4th killer of woman. Woman most at risk are those with blood relatives who had it or breast cancer, especially a first degree relative like a mother or sister or daughter. Other risk factors are high body weight and having never given birth. Pap smears DO NOT reveal ovarian cancer, just cervical cancer. 40 and over should be checked.
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Hysterectomy
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Surgical removal of the uterus. This surgery is often done between 35 and 45 yrs of age. It is the 2nd most common surgery for women. (C sections are first)
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Complete Hysterectomy
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Surgical removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus. Usually done to keep cancer from spreading throughout the reproductive system.
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Partial Hysterectomy
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Surgical removal of the uterus but NOT the ovaries and fallopian tubes. A woman will continue to ovulate and produce adequate quantities of female sex hormones.
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Pelvic Examination
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This test is recommended for women under 35 once a year and over 35
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Secondary Sex Characteristics
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Traits that distinguish the sexes from one another but are not directly involved in reproduction. Breast are an example of secondary sex characteristics.
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Pap Smears
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Detects cervical cancer. A pap smears is performed by the doctor by holding open the vaginal walls with a speculum so the sample of the cells may be scraped from the cervix with a wooden spatula.
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Mammary Glands
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Milk secreting glands found in the breast. Each breast contains 15-20 clusters. Each gland opens at the nipple through it own duct.
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Breast
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The amount of fatty tissue, NOT the amount of glandular tissue that largely determines the size of the breast.
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Areola
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The dark ring on the breast that encircles the nipple. This ring darkens during pregnancy and stay darker after. The glands in the areola secretes an oil to help lubricate the nipple during breast feeding.
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Nipple
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Found in the center of the areola. It contains smooth muscle fibers that erect the nipple when they contract.
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Milk Ducts
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Conduct milk from the mammary glands through the nipples.
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Mastectomy
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Surgical removal of the entire breast. This is done if the tumor is aggressive, meaning how rapidly it has grown.
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Lumpectomy
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Surgical removal of a lump from the breast.
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BRCA1 & BRCA2
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Genetic mutations found in the blood that are connected with the early onset of breast cancer.
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Mammography
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A special type of Xray test that detects cancerous lumps in the breast.
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Breast Cancer
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It isn't the cancer in the breast that kills, but it is the cancer that spreads to vital organs. Breast cancer is rare in women under 25. Most times it develops in women over the age of 50. 1 in every 229 is found in women 30-39 years of age. The probability that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time is about 1 in 7 to 8. (13.2%)
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Key Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
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Prolonged exposure to estrogen. Menstruation before the age of 14, late menopause (after 55), delay in childbearing (after 30) and never giving birth. Fat is connected with higher levels of estrogen production. Exercise would be helpful because it reduces the amount of fatty tissue in the body.
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Estrogen-Receptor Negative Tumors
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Tumors that develop rapidly even in the absence of estrogen. These tumors are aggressive and a major factor in the higher mortality rate for African American women.
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Cysts
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Sac-like structures filled with fluid or diseased material.
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Benign
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Do little or no harm
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Fibroadenoma
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A benign fibrous tumor
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Malignant
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Lethal; causing or likely to cause death.
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Metastasized
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Cancer cells that have splintered off to form colonies elsewhere in the body.
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Tamoxifen
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A drug that locks into the estrogen receptors of breast cancer cells, thereby blocking estrogen's stimulation of the cells to grow and proliferate. This drug can cause uterine cancer and have other side effects.
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Raloxifene
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A drug that helps reduce the risk of breast cancer without the side effects that tamoxifen.
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Clinical Breast Examines (CBE)
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American Cancer Society recommends having a CBE every 3 year for women between 20 & 39 years of age and annually after that.
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Menstruation
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The cyclical bleeding that stems from the shedding of the uterine lining. Average cycle is 28 days. The cycle is regulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone and can be divided into 4 phases.
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Ovulation
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The release of an ovum from an ovary.
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Proliferative Phase
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The first phase of a menstruation cycle, it follows menstruation. Estrogen levels increase causing the ripening of the ova. The wall of the uterus thickens to prepare for pregnancy.
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Ovulatory Phase
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The second phase of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen reaches peak blood levels and ovulation occurs. Normally 1 ovum reaches maturity and is release by the ovary.
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Corpus Luteum
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The follicle that has released an ovum and then produces copious amounts of progesterone and estrogen during the luteal phase of a woman's cycle.
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Endocrine Gland
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A ductless gland that releases its secretions directly into the bloodstream.
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Menarche
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The first menstrual period
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Hypothalamus
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A structure near the center of the brain that is involved in regulating body temperature, motivation and emotion.
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Pituitary Gland
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The gland that secretes growth hormones, prolactin, oxytocin and others.
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Hormone
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A substance secreted by an endocrine gland that regulates various body functions.
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Testes
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The male gonads
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Testosterone
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The male sex hormone that fosters the development of make sex characteristics and is connected with the sex drive.
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Prolactin
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A pituitary hormone that stimulates the production of milk/
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Oxytocin
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A pituitary hormone that stimulates uterine contractions in labor and the ejection of milk during nursing.
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Gonadotropins
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Pituitary hormones that stimulate the gonads.
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Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
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A gonadotropin that stimulates development of follicles in the ovaries.
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Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
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A gonadotropin that helps regulate the menstrual cycle by triggering ovulation.
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Anovulatory
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Means without ovulation
