Microscopic cavity, such as one of those in the breast where milk is produced.
antrum
A cavity that forms in an ovarian follicle as it matures.
anus
The exit of the gastrointestinal tract.
areola
The circular patch of darker skin that surrounds the nipple.
bacterial vaginosis
A condition in which the normal microorganisms of the vagina are replaced by anaerobic species, causing discomfort and a foul-smelling discharge.
Bartholin’s glands
Glands at the introitus that discharge a small amount of fluid during sexual arousal.
biopsy
A tissue sample from a living person for diagnostic or (less commonly) for therapeutic purposes.
birth canal
The canal formed by the uterus, cervix, and vagina, through which the fetus passes during birth.
bulbospongiosus mucle
A muscle that attaches to the base of the penis or clitoris and assists with erection and (in men) ejaculation. In women, the internal portion of the muscle surrounds the introitus.
candidiasis
A fungal infection, for example, of the vagina. Also called thrush or a yeast infection.
cervix
The lowermost, narrow portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina.
cilia
Microscopic, hairlike extensions of cells, often capable of a coordinated beating motion.
clitoridectomy
Removal of the entire external portion of the clitoris.
clitoral hood
A loose fold of skin that covers the clitoris.
clitoris
The erectile organ in females, whose external portion is located at the junction of the labia minora, just in front of the vestibule.
coitus
Penetration of the vagina by the penis.
colposcopy
The examination of the cervix with the aid of an operating microscope.
corpus cavernosum (pl. corpora cavernosa)
Either of two elongated erectile structures within the penis or clitoris, which also extend backward into the pelvic floor.
corpus spongiosum
A single midline erectile structure. In both sexes, it fills the glans.
crus (pl. crura)
Internal extension of a corpus cavernosum of the clitoris or penis.
douche
To rinse the vagina out with a liquid; the liquid so used.
endometrial cancer
Cancer of the endometrium of the uterus.
endometriosis
The growth of endometrial tissue at abnormal locations.
endometrium
The internal lining of the uterus.
erection
The expansion and stiffening of the penis, clitoris, or nipples in response to sexual stimulation or fantasy.
external genitalia
The sexual structures on the outside of the body.
infibulation
The most invasive form of female circumcision, involving clitoridectomy plus the sewing together of the labia majora over the vestibule. Also called pharaonic circumcision.
female circumcision
Any of several forms of ritual cutting or excision of parts of the female genitalia.
fibroid
A noncancerous tumor arising from smooth muscle cells of the uterus.
fimbria
A fringe-like set of extensions from the infundibulum of the oviduct.
follicle
An oocyte with its supporting cells within the ovary.
glans
The terminal knob of the clitoris or penis.
Gräfenberg spot (G-spot)
A controversial area of increased erotic sensitivity on or deep within the front wall of the vagina.
granulosa cells
Cells within an ovarian follicle that support the oocyte and secrete sex steroids.
hymen
A membrane, usually perforated or incomplete, that covers the opening of the vagina. It may be ruptured by first coitus or for other reasons.
hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus, sometimes along with the ovaries and oviducts.
introitus
The entrance to the vagina, usually covered early in life by the hymen.
ischiocavernosus muscle
One of the muscles that attaches to the internal portions of the penis and clitoris. It assists with erection and (in men) ejaculation.
labia majora
The outer lips: fleshy skin folds, partially covered in pubic hair, that extend from the mons.
labia minora
The inner lips: hairless, loose folds of skin located between the labia majora and immediately flanking the vestibule.
lactiferous sinuses
One of the storage areas for milk near the nipple.
lobe
A subdivision of a gland or other region.
lobules
A small subdivision of an organ, such as the breast.
mammary glands
The milk-producing glands within the breasts.
mammography
Radiographic inspection of the breasts.
mastectomy
Surgical removal of a breast.
menarche
The onset of menstruation at puberty.
menstruation
The breakdown of the endometrium at approximately monthly intervals, with consequent loss of tissue and blood from the vagina.
mons veneris (mons)
The frontmost component of the vulva: a mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic symphysis.
mucosa
A surface layer of cells (epithelium) that is lubricated by the secretions of mucous glands.
mucus
A thick or slippery secretion.
myometrium
The muscular layers of the wall of the uterus.
oocyte
A cell capable of developing into an ovum.
os
The opening in the cervix that connects the lumen of the vagina with the cervical canal.
ovarian cysts
Cysts within the ovary that can arise from a number of different causes.
ovary
The female gonad; the organ that produces ova and secretes sex steroids.
oviduct
Either of two bilateral tubes that lead from the uterus toward the ovaries; the usual site of fertilization. Also called fallopian tube.
ovulation
Release of an ovum from the ovary.
ovum (pl. ova)
A mature female gamete, prior to or immediately after fertilization.
Pap test
The microscopic examination of a sample of epithelial cells taken from the cervix or (less commonly) the anus.
paraurethral glands
Glands situated next to the female urethra, thought to be equivalent to the larger prostate gland in males. Also known as Skene’s glands.
pelvic examination
A visual and digital examination of the vulva and pelvic organs.
pelvic floor
A muscular sling that underlies and supports the pelvic organs.
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
An infection of the female reproductive tract, often caused by sexually transmitted organisms.
perimetrium
The outer covering of the uterus.
perineum
The region of skin between the anus and the scrotum or vulva.
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
A condition marked by excessive secretion of androgens by the ovaries.
polymastia
The condition of possessing more than two breasts; supernumerary breasts.
polythelia
The condition of possessing more than two nipples; supernumerary nipples.
prolapse
The slipping out of place of an organ, such as the uterus.
pubic hair
Hair that appears on portions of the external genitalia in both sexes at puberty.
pubic symphysis
The junction of the left and right pubic bones, the frontmost elements of the pelvic skeleton.
pubococcygeus muscle
Muscles in the pelvic floor that form a sling around the vagina.
rectum
The final, straight portion of the large bowel. It connects to the exterior via the anus.
reproductive tract
The internal anatomical structures in either sex that form the pathway taken by gametes or the conceptus.
secondary sexual characteristics
Anatomical characteristics, such as breasts and facial hair, that generally differ between the sexes but are not used to define an individual’s sex.
sexual intercourse
Sexual contact, usually understood to involve coitus.
smegma
A whitish, greasy secretion that builds up under the prepuce of the penis or clitoris.
smooth muscle
Muscular tissue that has no microscopic striations. Its contraction is usually involuntary and under the control of the autonomic nervous system.
sphincter
A circular muscle around an orifice whose contraction closes the orifice.
striated muscle
Muscular tissue that has microscopic striations. Its contraction is usually under voluntary control.
sunnah
Female circumcision limited to incision or removal of the clitoral hood.
thecal cells
Cells located on the periphery of an ovarian follicle that synthesize sex steroids.
urethra
The canal that conveys urine from the bladder to the urethral opening. It also serves for the discharge of semen or female ejaculatory fluids.
uterus
The womb; a pear-shaped region of the female reproductive tract through which sperm are transported and where the conceptus implants and develops.
vagina
A muscular tube extending 8–10 cm from the vestibule to the uterine cervix.
vestibular bulbs
Erectile structures deep to the labia minora, on either side of the vestibule.
vestibule
The potential space between the left and right labia minora.
