Human Sexuality
FEMALE BODY
Vulva: scientific term used to describe the entire external genital area of women
Mons (mons veneris): o Structure: pad of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair; has many nerve endings o Location: front most component of the vulva o Function: may serve as a cushion for the woman’s public area during sex o Pubic Hair: helps vaporize odors that arise in specialized sweat glands; also a visual trigger for sexual arousal because it is the most easily visible portion of the vulva
Labia majora (major lips): outer lips o Structure: padded with fatty tissue and are hairy nearest the thighs o Location: two folds of skin that extend down from the mons on either side of the vulva o Function: It is erotically sensitive, esp. near the inner, hairless sides of the labia
Labia minora (minor lips): inner lips o Structure: two thin folds of hairless skin; amply supplied with glands, blood vessels, and nerve endings o Location: lies between the labia majora o Function: very erotically sensitive (more than labia majora); it swells and darken, due to the pooling of blood within them (vasocongestion)
Clitoral hood (prepuce): o Structure: loose fold of skin o Location: where the labia minora meets o Function: covers the clitoris to protect the clitoris glands
Clitoris:
o Structure: spongy tissue internal and external portions o Location: where the labia minora meet under the clitoral hood o Function: erectile; two cavernous bodies and a spongy body (just like the penis); highly sensitive: continual, proper stimulation will produce orgasm in most woman o Glans: pearl sized knob and external visible portion; consists of a corpus spongiosum o Shaft: 1 inch length, runs upward from glans under the clitoral hood; consists of two corpora cavernosa o Both the shaft and glans are erectile (can get bigger and firmer during arousal); during sexual arousal the clitoris swells; shaft is firmer and glans are soft
Vaginal opening (introitus): o Structure:
Vulva: scientific term used to describe the entire external genital area of women
Mons (mons veneris): o Structure: pad of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair; has many nerve endings o Location: front most component of the vulva o Function: may serve as a cushion for the woman’s public area during sex o Pubic Hair: helps vaporize odors that arise in specialized sweat glands; also a visual trigger for sexual arousal because it is the most easily visible portion of the vulva
Labia majora (major lips): outer lips o Structure: padded with fatty tissue and are hairy nearest the thighs o Location: two folds of skin that extend down from the mons on either side of the vulva o Function: It is erotically sensitive, esp. near the inner, hairless sides of the labia
Labia minora (minor lips): inner lips o Structure: two thin folds of hairless skin; amply supplied with glands, blood vessels, and nerve endings o Location: lies between the labia majora o Function: very erotically sensitive (more than labia majora); it swells and darken, due to the pooling of blood within them (vasocongestion)
Clitoral hood (prepuce): o Structure: loose fold of skin o Location: where the labia minora meets o Function: covers the clitoris to protect the clitoris glands
Clitoris:
o Structure: spongy tissue internal and external portions o Location: where the labia minora meet under the clitoral hood o Function: erectile; two cavernous bodies and a spongy body (just like the penis); highly sensitive: continual, proper stimulation will produce orgasm in most woman o Glans: pearl sized knob and external visible portion; consists of a corpus spongiosum o Shaft: 1 inch length, runs upward from glans under the clitoral hood; consists of two corpora cavernosa o Both the shaft and glans are erectile (can get bigger and firmer during arousal); during sexual arousal the clitoris swells; shaft is firmer and glans are soft
Vaginal opening (introitus): o Structure: