Chapter 2 - Summary Discovering Human Sexuality PDF

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Megan Troutman Human Sex 9/6/17 Chapter 2: Women’s Bodies

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Vestibule: area encircled by labia, left and right labia touch when woman is not aroused During sexual arousal, the inner labia swell and darken as they fill with blood, a process called vasocongestion Clitoris: the erectile organ in females, whose external portion is located at the junction of the inner labia, just in front of the vestibule o Glans: external portion of the clitoris (terminal knob of the clitoris or penis) o Shaft of clitoris can be felt but not seen o Both shaft and glans are erectile (can become larger/firmer during arousal) o Erectile tissue within the clitoral shaft consists of two corpora cavernosa (“cavernous bodies”) that lie side by side o The erectile tissue within the glans consists of a single corpus spongiosum (“spongy body”) o Crura (singular: crus): the two internal extensions of the corpora cavernosa of the clitoris or penis (give clitoris a wishbone structure, about 3 in. long, partially enwrap the urethra) o Vestibular bulbs: erectile structures beneath the inner labia, on either side of the vestibule (internal part of clitoris, helps to lengthen and stiffen the vagina during arousal, made of corpus spongiosum) Smegma: a whitish, greasy secretion that builds up under the hood of the clitoris or penis Mucosa: thin cellular layer of the vagina (inner) o Then an intermediate muscular layer, then an outermost, tough, elastic layer Outer third of vagina is what gives most pleasure for both people “Friendly” bacteria in vagina convert sugars to lactic acid  makes surface of vagina mildly acidic and usually helps tp prevent the growth of harmful bacteria o Candidiasis: a fungal infection of the vagina (aka thrush or yeast infection); inflammation of vaginal walls o “Douching” = cleansing vagina unnaturally, which doctors discourage bc vagina does it itself Cervical canal opens into uterus, which has 3 layers: endometrium (inner lining), myometrium (muscular wall), perimetrium (thin, outer covering) o Endometrium switches between 2 functions: transport sperm and implant/nourish embryo (menstruation = shedding of this lining to switch functions to transport sperm) Oviducts: fallopian tubes, two symmetrical branches that reproductive tract divides into o Fertilization occurs in the outer third of an oviduct o Interior surface is lined with cilia (hairs that create a current) o Oviduct ends in a flared opening with a fringe of fingerlike extensions = fimbria Ovaries: woman’s gonads, egg-shaped structures

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o Contains follicles (fluid-filled sacs with egg = ovum and supporting cells) at various stages of development o Produce and secrete sex hormones o Ovarian hormones are mostly sex steroids, or any of the steroid hormones that are active in sexual and reproductive processes (fatty molecules derived from cholesterol)  Come in 3 classes: estrogens (any of a class of steroids – the most important being estradiol, secreted by ovarian follicles – that promote the development of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty and that have many other functions in both sexes), progestins (any of a class of steroids – the most important being progesterone, secreted by the ovary and the placenta – that cause the endometrium to proliferate and help maintain pregnancy), and androgens (any of a class of hormones – the most important being testosterone, synthesized in the testicles and in lesser amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands – that promote male sexual development and that have a variety of other functions in both sexes) Menarche = onset of menstruation (days 1-5 of cycle) o Preovulatory (or follicular) phase: the phase of the menstrual cycle during which follicles are developing in the ovaries (days 6-14 of cycle) o Postovulatory (or luteal) phase: the phase of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and the beginning of menstruation (days 15-28 of cycle)  Corpus luteum: a secretory structure in the ovary derived from an ovarian follicle after ovulation o Muscle contractions of the myometrium = menstrual cramps o Dysmenorrhea: menstrual pain severe enough to interfere with a woman’s activities  Primary dysmenorrhea: painful menstruation that begins at puberty and has no clear cause  Secondary dysmenorrhea: painful menstruation that begins during adult life, usually as a consequence of a pelvic disorder o PMS = premenstrual syndrome = starts a few days before period and continues into period  Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: PMS-associated mood changes that are severe enough to interfere with relationships o Amenorrhea: absence of menstruation  Primary: when a girl doesn’t start menstruating at puberty Lobe: a subdivision of a gland or other organ (each breast has 15-20, separated from one another by fibrous and fatty tissue) Alveolus (plural alveoli): sacs that are functional units of breasts, lined by glandular cells that secrete milk into its central cavity Areola: the circular patch of darker skin that surrounds the nipple Mastectomy = removal of breast, mammography = inspection of breasts, prosthesis = artificial replacement...