Human Sexuality

Front 1

Puberty

Back 1

The stage of development during which reproduction first becomes possible. Puberty begins with the appearance of secondary sex characteristics and ends when the long bones make no further gains in length.

Front 2

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Back 2

Physical characteristics that differentiate males and females and that usually appear at puberty but are not directly involved in reproduction, such as the bodily distribution of hair and fat, development of the muscle mass, and deepening of the voice.

Front 3

Primary Sex Characteristics

Back 3

Physical characteristics that differentiate males and females and are directly involved in reproduction, such as the sex organs.

Front 4

Menarche

Back 4

The onset of menstruation; first menstruation.

Front 5

Critical Fat Hypothesis

Back 5

The view that girls must reach a certain body weight to trigger pubertal changes such as menarche.

Front 6

Anovulatory

Back 6

Without ovulation.

Front 7

Nocturnal Emission

Back 7

Involuntary ejaculation of seminal fluid while asleep. Also referred to as "wet dream," although the individual need not be dreaming about sex, or dreaming at all, at the time.

Front 8

Larynx

Back 8

A structure of muscle and cartilage at the upper end of the trachea that contains the vocal cords; the voice box.

Front 9

Gynecomastia

Back 9

Overdevelopment of a male's breasts.

Front 10

Personal Fable

Back 10

The belief that one's feelings and ideas are special and that one is invulnerable.