Human Sexuality Terms From Chapter 4 Of Human Sexuality In A World Of Diversity

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Pheromones

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Chemical substances secreted externally by certain animals that convey information to, or produce specific responses in, other members of the same species; from the Greek pherien, meaning "to bear (a message)" and "hormone"

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Aphrodisiac

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Any drug or other agent that is sexually arousing or increases sexual desire; from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty

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Erogenous zones

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Parts of the body that are especially sensitive to tactile sexual stimulation; derived from roots meaning "giving birth to erotic sensations"

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Primary erogenous zones

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Erogenous zones that are particularly sensitive because they are richly endowed with nerve endings

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Secondary erogenous zones

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Parts of the body that become erotically sensitized through experience

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Vasocongestion

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The swelling of the genital tissues with blood, which causes erection of the penis and engorgement of the area surrounding the vaginal opening

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Anaphrodisiacs

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Drugs or other agents with effects that are antagonistic to sexual arousal or sexual desire

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Antiandrogen

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A substance that decreases the levels of androgens in the bloodstream

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Secondary sex characteristics

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Physical traits that differentiate males from females but are not directly involved in reproduction

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Transsexual

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A person who feels that he or she is really a member of the other sex and is trapped in a body of the wrong sex

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Hypogonadism

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An abnormal condition marked by abnormally low levels of testosterone production

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Ovariectomy

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Surgical removal of he ovaries

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Sexual response cycle

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Masters' and Johnson's model of sexual response, which consists of four phases

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Myotonia

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Muscle tension

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Excitement phase

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The first phase of the sexual response cycle; characterized by erection in the male, vaginal lubrication in the female, muscle tension, and an increase in heart rate in both males and females

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Sex flush

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A reddish rash that appears on the chest or breasts late during the excitement phase of the sexual response cycle

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Plateau phase

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The second phase of the sexual response cycle, which is characterized by increases in vasocongestion. muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure in preparation for orgasm

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Orgasmic platform

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The thickening of the walls of the outer third of the vagina, resulting from vasocongestion, that occurs during thhe pleateau phase of the sexual response cycle

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Sex skin

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Reddening of the labia minora that occurs during the plateau phase

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Resolution phase

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The fourth phase of the sexual response cycle, during which the body gradually returns to its prearoused state

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Refractory period

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The period of time following a response (e.g., orgasm), during which an individual is no longer responsive to stimulation (e.g., sexual stimulation)

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Multiple orgasms

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One or more additional orgasms following the first, which occur within a short period of time and before the body has returned to a preplateau level of arousal