| alveoli (singular, alveolus) | Small glands within the female breast that begin producing milk following childbirth.
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| amenorrhea | The absence of menstruation, unrelated to aging.
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| ampulla | The widened part of the fallopian tube or the vas deferens.
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| anus | The opening of the rectum, consisting of two sphincters, circular muscles that open and close like valves.
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| areola | A ring of darkened skin around the nipple of the breast.
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| Bartholin's gland | One of two small ducts on either side of the vaginal opening that secretes a small amount of moisture during sexual arousal. Also known as vestibular gland.
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| birth canal | The passageway through which an infant is born; the vagina.
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| cervix | The end of the uterus, opening toward the vagina.
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| cilia | Tiny hairs on the fimbriae and ampulla that conduct the oocyte from the ovary to the fallopian tube.
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| clitoral hood | A fold of skin covering the glans of the clitoris.
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| clitoris (plural, clitorides) | An external sexual structure that is the center of arousal in the female; located above the vagina at the meeting of the labia minora.
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| coitus | Sexual intercourse.
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| corpora cavernosa | The hollow chambers in the shaft of the clitoris or penis that fill with blood and swell during arousal.
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| corpus luteum | The tissue formed from a ruptured ovarian follicle that produces important hormones after the oocyte emerges.
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| crura (singular, crus) | The internal branches of the clitoral or penile shaft.
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| dysmenorrhea | Pelvic cramping and pain experienced by some women during menstruation.
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| endometrium | The inner lining of the uterine walls.
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| erogenous zone | Any area of the body that is highly sensitive to touch and associated with sexual arousal.
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| estrogen | The principal female hormone, regulating reproductive functions and the development of secondary sex characteristics.
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| fallopian tube | One of two uterine tubes extending toward an ovary.
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| fimbriae | Fingerlike extensions from the fallopian tubes that drape over the ovaries.
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| follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | A hormone that regulates ovulation.
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| follicular phase | The phase of the ovarian cycle during which a follicle matures.
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| gamete | A sex cell containing the genetic material necessary for reproduction; an oocyte (ovum) or sperm.
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| genitals | The reproductive and sexual organs of males and females. Also known as genitalia.
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| glans clitoridis | The erotically sensitive tip of the clitoris.
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| gonad | An organ (ovary or testis) that produces gametes.
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| gonadotropin | A hormone that acts directly on the gonads.
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| gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) | A hormone that stimulates the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), initiating the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle.
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| Grafenberg spot | According to some researchers, an erotically sensitive area on the front wall of the vagina midway between the introitus and the cervix. Also known as G-spot.
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| hormone | A chemical substance that acts as a messenger within the body, regulating various functions.
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| hymen | A thin membrane partially covering the introitus prior to first intercourse or other breakage.
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| infundibulum | The funnel-shaped end of the fallopian tube.
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| introitus | The opening of the vagina.
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| Kaplan's tri-phasic model of sexual response | A model that divides sexual response into three phases: desire, excitement, and orgasm.
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| labia majora (singular, labium majus) | Two folds of spongy flesh extending from the mons pubis and enclosing the labia minora, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal entrance. Also known as major lips.
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| labia minora (singular, labium minus) | Two small folds of skin within the labia majora that meet above the clitoris to form the clitoral hood. Also known as minor lips.
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| lactation | The production of milk in the breasts (mammary glands).
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| libido | The sex drive.
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| limbic system | A group of structures in the brain associated with emotions and feelings; involved with producing sexual arousal.
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| Loulan's sexual response model | A model that incorporates both the biological and affective components into a six-stage cycle.
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| luteal phase | The phase of the ovarian cycle during which a follicle becomes a corpus luteum and then degenerates.
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| luteinizing hormone (LH) | A hormone involved in ovulation.
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| mammary gland | A mature female breast.
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| Masters and Johnson four-phase model of sexual response | A model that divides sexual response into four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
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| menarche | The onset of menstruation.
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| menses | The menstrual flow, in which the endometrium is discharged.
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| menstrual cycle | The more-or-less monthly process during which the uterus is readied for implantation of a fertilized ovum. Also known as uterine cycle.
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| menstrual phase | The shedding of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
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| mons pubis | In the female, the mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic bone; the pubic mound. Also known as mons veneris.
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| mons veneris | The pubic mound; literally, mountain of Venus. Also known as mons pubis.
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| myotonia | Increased muscle tension.
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| oocyte | The female gamete, referred to as an egg or ovum.
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| oogenesis | The production of oocytes; the ovarian cycle.
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| orgasm | The climax of sexual excitement, including rhythmic contractions of muscles in the genital area and intensely pleasurable sensations; usually accompanied by ejaculation in males beginning in puberty.
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| orgasmic platform | A portion of the vagina that undergoes vasocongestion during sexual arousal.
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| os | The cervical opening.
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| ovarian cycle | The more-or-less monthly process during which oocytes are produced.
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| ovarian follicle | A saclike structure in which an oocyte develops.
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| ovary | One of a pair of organs that produces oocytes.
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| ovulation | The release of an oocyte from the ovary during the ovarian cycle.
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| ovulatory phase | The phase of the ovarian cycle during which ovulation occurs.
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| ovum (plural, ova) | An egg; an oocyte; the female gamete.
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| pelvic floor | The underside of the pelvic area, extending from the top of the pubic bone to the anus.
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| perineum | An area of soft tissue between the genitals and the anus that covers the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor.
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| pheromone | A sexually arousing chemical substance secreted into the air by many kinds of animals.
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| premenstrual syndrome (PMS) | A set of severe symptoms associated with menstruation.
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| progesterone | A female hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle and sustain pregnancy.
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| proliferative phase | The building up of the endometrium in response to increased estrogen during the menstrual cycle.
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| prostaglandins | A type of hormone with a fatty-acid base that stimulates muscle contractions.
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| secretory phase | The phase of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrium begins to prepare for the arrival of a fertilized ovum; without fertilization, the corpus luteum begins to degenerate.
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| sex flush | A rash that temporarily appears as a result of blood rushing to the skin's surface during sexual excitation.
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| sweating | The moistening of the vagina by secretions from its walls.
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| tenting | The expansion of the inner two-thirds of the vagina during sexual arousal.
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| urethra | The tube through which urine (and in men, semen) passes.
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| urethral opening | The opening in the urethra through which urine is expelled.
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| uterus | A hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ held in the pelvic cavity by flexible ligaments and supported by several muscles. Also known as womb.
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| vagina | In females, a flexible, muscular organ that begins between the legs and extends diagonally toward the small of the back. It encompasses the penis during sexual intercourse and is the pathway (birth canal) through which an infant is born.
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| vasocongestion | Blood engorgement of body tissues.
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| vestibule | The area enclosed by the labia minora.
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| vulva | The collective term for the external female genitals.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education