Chapter 2
Our Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy
For use with text,
Human Sexuality Today,
5th edition.
Bruce M. King
Slides by Callista Lee
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Body language



Slang terms for the genitalia are more often
used by men than by women.
What are some common themes in slang terms
for women’s genitals? For men’s genitals?
Why are slang terms for the genitals and for
sexual behavior also used terms of general
displeasure or aggression?
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
External female genitalia



Vulva is the term used to refer to the external
female genitalia, including the mons veneris,
labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vaginal
opening and urethral opening.
It is common for people to say “vagina” when
referring to what is between a woman’s legs
but the correct term is vulva.
The anus is also between a woman’s legs but
is not considered to be a part of the vulva.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The Vulva
The labia are
parted to show
the vaginal
and urethral
openings.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Feelings about one’s genitalia are
related to enjoyment of sexual activity.






Mons Veneris – why pubic hair?
Labia Majora – protective outer lips that cover
sensitive inner tissues
Labia Minora – “Hottentot Aprons”
Bartholin’s Glands – friends to sperm
Urethral opening – rarely noticed, between
clitoris and vagina
Perineum – the pelvic “floor”
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The clitoris – as many nerve
endings as an entire penis!



Clitoral hood – where the labia minora meet at
the top to form a touch-sensitive covering for
the clitoris
Clitoris – a glans, a shaft and even “legs,” all
containing erectile tissue
Clitoral circumcision – female genital mutilation
designed to keep women from experiencing
“too much” sexual pleasure in some cultures
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The vaginal opening



Vestibular bulbs beside the vaginal opening
swell with blood during sexual arousal to help
the vagina grip the penis.
Bulbocavernosus muscle surrounds the vagina
keeping it loosely closed most of the time.
The hymen is a thin membrane that only
partially seals the vagina. It may break open on
its own during childhood and so is not a “proof”
of virginity.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The breasts





Sexy in most Western cultures
Estrogen in boys may cause gynecomastia
15 – 20 mammary glands each with its own
duct in the nipple, regardless of bra size
The areola has a breastfeeding function
Fatty tissue between the glands, determined
primarily by heredity, affects breast size
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Breast augmentation



Exercises and lotions do not work
Cosmetic surgery is still surgery
25% of women who receive breast implants
(silicone or saline) will develop painful fibrous
capsules around the implants that make the
breasts hard, tight and unnatural in
appearance, requiring additional surgery.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Breast cancer and examination





Self-exams monthly, after menstruation
Mammograms – baseline at age 35, every 1-2
years in your 40’s and annually after age 50
96% survival rate with early detection
Simple mastectomy is as effective as the
radical mastectomy
A positive attitude and reassurance help
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Breast self-examination
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Internal female anatomy

Vagina – a sheath-like canal extending from
the vulva to the cervix
–
–
–
–
–
“Elastic” walls – does one size fit all?
Highly vascularized
Lubricates in response to sexual arousal
A self-cleaning organ with a natural musky odor
Douching interferes with the natural chemical
environment and can lead to serious health
problems
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
More about the vagina



Pubococcygeus (PC) muscle surrounds the
vagina – practice your Kegel exercises for
sexual satisfaction and urinary control.
The vaginal opening is very sensitive to touch
but the inner 2/3 have very few nerve endings.
The G-Spot exception – a highly sensitive area
on the anterior wall about 1/3 of the way into
the vagina noticed by about 10% of women.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Internal female organs, side view
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Internal female organs, frontal view
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The Uterus – tiny but powerful




Cervix – the narrow end of the uterus
projecting into the back of the vagina
Perimetrium – the outer layer
Myometrium – strong muscled middle layer
Endometrium – innermost layer that grows
thicker between menstrual periods and sloughs
off at menstruation
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Fallopian Tubes





Fingerlike fimbria brush against the ovary to
“find” the egg at ovulation
Site of fertilization of the egg by the sperm
Cilia within the tube move the egg toward the
uterus
Ectopic (tubal) pregnancies
Tubal ligation sterilization
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The Ovaries




Female gonads produce ova (eggs) and
hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
At birth a girl’s ovaries already contain all of
her 300,000 - 400,000 immature ova.
Only about 400 will ever fully mature
From primary follicle to Graafian follicle to
ovulation
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Gynecological examination
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Gynecological cancers

Cervical cancer and the Human Papillomavirus
–
–


Pap smear – a simple test for cervical cancer
60,000 new cervical cancer cases each year
40,100 cases of cancer of the endometrium are
diagnosed every year
Ovarian cancer is rare but difficult to detect in
its early stages
–
Many ovarian cysts are benign
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
External male anatomy

Penis – reproductive, urinary and sexual
–
–


Average size flaccid – 3.75 inches x 1.2 inches
Average size erect – 6 inches x 1.5 inches
The foreskin protects the glans penis from
abrasions and dryness
The scrotum holds the testicles outside of the
body cavity for optimal sperm development.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
External male genitalia
Circumcised (left) and natural (right)
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Male Circumcision






History – ancient Egyptians and Greeks
Religion – Jews and Muslims
Culture – Puberty rites
Victorian Era fears about masturbation
The battle of smegma vs. soap and water
Pediatricians oppose routine circumcisions in
countries where good hygiene and adequate
medical care exist
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Internal structures, side view
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The man inside…details, details…

Penis – glans, shaft and root
–
–
–
–


Corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum
Tumescence (erection) and detumescence
Corona – most sensitive part of the penis
Urethra – one opening and two functions
Peyronie’s Disease
Normal curvature
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Testicles and testimony






Male gonads create sperm and male hormones
Epididymis – where sperm wait for orgasm
Vas Deferens – from testicle, up and over the
bladder and through the prostate gland
Vasectomy
Ejaculatory ducts – taking the sperm out to the
urethra
Urethra – one passageway for two functions
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Internal male structures
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Semen is just 1% sperm




Seminal vessicles – two little structures that
contribute about 70% of seminal volume
Prostate gland – about 30% of semen
Cowpers (aka Bulbourethral) glands – two peasized structures that secrete an alkaline fluid to
clean the urethra prior to orgasm
One reason “withdrawal” isn’t reliable
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Cancers of the Testes and Prostate


Prostatitis vs. Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer – 1:7 men by age 85
–
–

Rectal exams and PSA blood tests
Prevention – reduce fat and increase exercise
Testicular cancer is most likely between ages
20 – 40
–
Self-examination can detect testicular cancer in its
early stages
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Testicular self-exam
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Sexiest organ: The brain




Cerebral cortex – thinking and reasoning
Limbic system – emotions and sexual desire
Hypothalamus – Sexual desire, sexual
orientation, gender identity – directs the
Pituitary Gland
Pituitary Gland – hormones that drive the
reproductive system
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
The human brain
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall
Our Sexual Bodies





The five senses
Primary erogenous zones – because we’re
human
Secondary erogenous zones – learned through
experience or socialization
Self-concept and body image
Cultural norms – kissing, breasts, body fat
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e (c) 2005 by Prentice Hall