DEFINITIONS PART 1 SEXUALITY AND CONTRACEPTION SEXUALITY 1 Sexuality A dimension of personality shaped by biological psychosocial and cultural forces and concerning all aspects of sexual behavior 2 Gonads The primary reproductive organs that produce germ cells reproductive cells and sex hormones the ovaries and the testes 3 Germ cells Sperm and ova eggs 4 Ovum A germ cell produced by a female which combines with a male germ cell sperm to create a fetus Plural Ova Also called an egg 5 Sperm A germ cell produced by a male which combines with a female germ cell ovum to create a fetus 6 Vulva The external female genitalia or sex organs 7 Clitoris Highly sensitive female genital structure Female equivalent of the penis made of same tissue 8 Prepuce Foreskin of the clitoris or the penis 9 Urethra Duct that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body 10 Vagina The passage leading from the female genitals to the internal reproductive organs the birth canal 11 Cervix The opening of the uterus in the upper part of the vagina 12 Uterus The hollow thick walled muscular organ in which the fertilized egg develops Also called the womb 13 Fallopian tube A duct that guides a mature ovum from the ovary to the uterus Also called an oviduct 14 Ovaries The paired female reproductive glands that produce the ova eggs and sex hormones Ovaries are the female gonads 15 Penis The male genital structure that consisting of spongy tissue that becomes engorged with blood during sexual excitement 16 Scrotum The loose sac of skin and muscle fibers that contain the testes 17 Testis One of two male gonads that are the site of sperm production Plural Testes Also called testicle 18 Semen The fluid that carries the sperm out of the male penis during ejaculation 19 Epididymis A storage duct for maturing sperm located on the surface of each testis 20 Vas Deferens A tube that carries the sperm from the epididymis through the prostate gland to the seminal vesicles Plural Vasa deferentia 21 Prostate Gland A male reproductive organ produces some of the fluid in semen which helps transport and nourish sperm 22 Seminal Vesicle A tube leading from the vas deferens to the ejaculatory duct Secretes nutrients for the semen 23 Ejaculatory duct A tube that carries mature sperm to the urethra so that they can exit the body upon ejaculation 24 Cowper s gland In the male reproductive system a small organ that produces pre ejaculatory fluid 25 Glans The rounded head of the penis or the clitoris 26 Circumcision Surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis 27 Androgens Male sex hormones produced by the testes 28 Estrogens A class of female sex hormones produced by the ovaries that bring about sexual maturation at puberty and maintain reproductive functions 29 Progestagens A class of female sex hormones produced by the ovaries that sustain reproductive functions 30 Adrenal glands Endocrine glands located over the kidneys that produce sex hormones 31 Pituitary Gland An endocrine gland at the base of the brain that produces hormones and regulates the release of hormones including sex hormones by other glands 32 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 functions 33 Sex Chromosomes The X and Y chromosome which determine an individual s biological sex 34 Testosterone The most important male sex hormone that stimulates an embryo to develop into a male by inducing the development of male secondary sexual characteristics during puberty 35 Puberty The period of biological maturation during adolescence In this stage of development the individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction 36 Progesterone The most important female sex hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and sustains pregnancy 37 Menstrual Cycle The monthly ovarian cycle in the absence of pregnancy that is regulated by hormones Also called menstruation 38 Menarche The first menstrual period experienced by most young women at some point during adolescence 39 Menses The portion of the menstrual cycle characterized by menstrual flow 40 Follicle A sac like structure within the ovary in which an ovum matures 41 Endometrium The lining of the uterus 42 Ovulation The release of a mature ovum from an ovary 43 Corpus Luteum The part of the ovarian follicle left after ovulation which secretes estrogen and progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle 44 Dysmenorrhea Painful or problematic menstruation 45 Premenstrual Tension Mild physical and emotional changes associated with the time before the onset of menses 46 Premenstrual Syndrome PMS A disorder characterized by physical discomfort psychological distress and behavioral changes that begin after ovulation and cease when menstruation begins 47 Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder A severe form of PMS characterized by symptoms serious enough to interfere with daily activities and relationships 48 Menopause The cessation of menstruation gradually around age 50 49 Vasocongestion Accumulation of blood in tissues and organs 50 Orgasm The discharge of accumulated sexual tension with characteristic genital and bodily manifestations and a subjective sensation of intense pleasure 51 Sexual Dysfunction A disturbance in sexual desire performance or satisfaction 52 Erectile Dysfunction The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse 53 Premature Ejaculation Involuntary orgasm before or shortly after the penis enters the vagina or anus It is ejaculation that takes place sooner than desired 54 Retarded Ejaculation The inability to ejaculate when one wishes to during intercourse 55 Orgasmic Dysfunction The inability to experience an orgasm 56 Masturbation Self stimulation for the purpose of sexual arousal and orgasm 57 Celibacy Continuous abstention from sexual activity 58 Autoeroticism Behavior aimed at sexual self stimulation 59 Erotic Fantasy Sexually arousing thoughts and daydreams 60 Foreplay Kissing touching and any form of oral or genital contact that stimulate people towards intercourse 61 Cunnilingus Oral stimulation of female genitals 62 Fellatio Oral stimulation of the penis 63 Sexual Intercourse Sexual relations involving genital union Commonly referred to an vaginal intercourse Also called coitus or making love 64 Sexual Coercion The use of physical or psychological force or intimidation to make a