| A | B |
|---|
| 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. |
| blastocyst | Multicelled descendant of the united egg and sperm. |
| cavernous bodies | The structures in the shaft of the clitoris that engorge with blood during sexual arousal. |
| cervix | The 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. |
| 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. |
| dysmenorrhea | Pain or discomfort before or during menstruation. |
| endometrium | The tissue that lines the inside of the uterine wall. |
| 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 |
| 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, which is richly endowed with nerve endings. |
| Grafenberg spot (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. |
| hormone therapy (HT) | The use of supplemental hormones during and after menopause or following surgical removal of the ovaries. |
| hymen | Tissue that partially covers the vaginal opening. |
| 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 (LH) | 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 | A highly sensitive X-ray test for the detection of breast cancer. |
| 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 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. |
| 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. |
| ovulation | The release of a mature ovum from the ovary. |
| Pap smear | A screening test for cancer of the cervix. |
| perimenopause | The time period before menopause when estrogen is decreasing. |
| perimetrium | The thin membrane covering the outside of the uterus. |
| perineum | The area between the vagina and the 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. |
| prepuce | The foreskin or fold of skin over the clitoris |
| proliferative phase | The phase of the menstrual cycle during which the ovarian follicles mature. |
| prostaglandins | Hormones that induce uterine contractions |
| rugae | The folds of tissue in 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 |
| shaft | The length of the clitoris between the glans and the body. |
| 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 |
| 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 3 to 5 inches into the pelvis. |
| 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. |
