| A | B |
|---|
| penis | primary male sex organ, composed of sponge-like erectile tissue, which delivers semen to the female. |
| testicle | primary male sex organ, suspended in the scrotum, which produces sperm cells and testosterone. |
| scrotum | pouch of skin in which the testicles are suspended |
| semen | mixture of reproductive cells and fluids ejaculated during orgasm |
| sperm | the male reproductive cell |
| ejaculation | the emission of semen caused by contractions in the walls of the epididymis |
| vas deferens | tube connecting the epididymis with the urethra through which sperm cells flow |
| epididymis | bag-like structure attached to the testicles in which mature sperm are stored until ejaculation |
| foreskin | an outer layer on the penis; circumcision removes it |
| cowper's gland | a small gland which produces a mucus-like, lubricating fluid which is a component of semen |
| seminal vesicle | gland which releases fructose into the seminal mixture; the fructose helps to give the sperm energy to swim. |
| prostate gland | golf-ball sized/shaped gland which produces an alkaline fluid to help protect sperm cells |
| urethra | tube connecting the bladder to the outside of a person’s body through which urine is excreted. In the male, the vas deferens connects to the urethra through which semen is ultimately ejaculated. |
| vasectomy | a surgical procedure done to intentionally sterilize a man in which the vas deferens is cut and both ends sealed. |
| testosterone | the primary male sex hormone |
| nocturnal emission | an involuntary ejaculation during sleep; also known as a "wet dream" |
| glans | the head of the penis |
| corona | ridge of skin separating the glans from the shaft of the penis |
| erection | the hardening and elongation of the penis due to the engorgement of the erectile tissue with blood |
| vagina | sheath-like birth canal in the woman |
| ovary | primary female sex organ which produces/house egg cells |
| hymen | a membrane which partially blocks the opening to the vagina |
| clitoris | small protrusion in the upper, anterior vulva which becomes stiff during sexual arousal; analogous to the glans as an erogenous zone |
| ovum | an egg cell |
| uterus | muscular body cavity in which a baby develops during pregnancy |
| fallopian tubes | structures which connect the ovaries to the uterus; eggs are fertilized here |
| labia | folds of skin which help to protect the opening to the vagina |
| vulva | a collective name for the labia and external female genitalia |
| cervix | neck-like, narrow part of the uterus which connects it to the vagina |
| endometrium | the lining of the uterus; helps to nourish fertilized egg until the placenta develops |
| tubal ligation | a surgical procedure done to intentionally sterilize a woman through which her fallopian tubes are cut/clamped and the ends sealed |
| estrogen | the primary female sex hormone |
| ovulation | stage of the menstrual cycle during which the egg is released from the ovary |
| menarche | the name given to a girl’s first menstrual period |
| menstruation | stage of the menstrual cycle during which a woman’s body sheds blood and other fluids which had been stored in case of pregnancy |
| menstrual cycle | the monthly preparation of a woman’s body to prepare for pregnancy involving the build up and break down of an egg cell and certain bodily fluids |
| mammary glands | glands inside the breasts which produce mother’s milk |
| breasts | fleshy protuberances from a woman’s chest which house the mammary gland |
| nipple | the small protuberance from the tip of the breast through which milk is secreted |
| areola | a circular patch of darker skin around the nipple |
| placenta | membranous organ which develops inside the uterus during pregnancy and which supplies the baby with nutrition via the umbilical cord |
| genitals | another name for the sex organs (usually the exterior ones) |
| puberty | period of sexual maturation usually during adolescence |
| secondary sex characteristics | changes in the body, not directly impacting reproduction, which signal sexual maturation. Examples in males include deepening of the voice, facial/chest hair, and broadening of the chest. |
| copulation | a synonym for sexual intercourse |
| coitus | another synonym for sexual intercourse |
| orgasm | a pleasurable series of rapid muscle contractions during the height of sexual arousal |
| conception | a synonym for fertilization |
| fertilization | the union of sperm and egg cells |
| contraception | the practice of trying to prevent the union of sperm and egg cells |
| contraceptives | devices/chemicals/practices which are used for contraception |
| impotence | the inability to become sexually aroused/engage in a sexual act. Impotence affects men and women. The reasons might be physiological (such as not enough blood flow to the penis to achieve an erection) or psychological (a woman who has been raped might lose all desire/ability to be sexually intimate due to the trauma she has experienced). |
| sterility | the inability to produce offspring |
| fertility | the ability to produce offspring |
| infertility | a temporary inability to produce offspring |
| pregnancy | the development of a baby in the uterus over 40 weeks |
| gestation | a synonym for pregnancy |
| fetus | the name given to a developing baby after 8 weeks of pregnancy |
| zygote | name given to a fertilized egg cell |
| blastocyst | name given to a fertilized egg cell after 5 days |
| amniotic sac | membranous sac in which the baby floats during pregnancy |
| umbilical cord | cord-like structure of tissue and blood vessels which connects the placenta and the baby through which oxygen and nutrition are delivered to the baby |
| miscarriage | a natural, premature end to pregnancy |
| abortion | the practice of intentionally killing the developing baby, usually via some surgical procedure |
| abortifacient | chemicals or devices used to cause a fertilized egg to be unable to implant in the uterus |
| premature birth | the delivery of a viable baby before the 40th week of pregnancy |
| trimester | one of 3 13-week periods during pregnancy |
| full-term | a pregnancy lasting the entire 40 week period |
| Caesarian Section (C-section) | a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through incisions in the abdomen and uterus |
| breech birth | delivery of a baby during which the feet or buttocks emerge first through the vagina |
| ectopic pregnancy | the incidence of a fertilized egg’s becoming stuck in the fallopian tube, never making it to the uterus. |
| amniocentesis | a procedure in which amniotic fluid is removed from the sac via a long needle for certain medical testing. |
