Sexual Anatomy & Physiology

Female External Genitalia

Vulva: everything that is externally visible (mons pubis, labia majora,
labia minora, clitoris, urethral orifice, vaginal vestibule, perineal body)
mons pubis: mound of fatty tissue above the pubic bone
labia majora: large, outer fatty folds of skin tissue
labia minora: inner folds of skin and erectile tissue
clitoris: small, highly sensitive organ
glans: tip of the clitoris
prepuce (clitoral hood): loose-fitting fold of skin covering the clitoral
glans

Female External Genitalia

vaginal vestibule: the cleft containing the vaginal and urethral openings
Skenes glands: group of small mucous glands that open into vaginal
vestibule (near urethra)
Bartholins glands: two glands that open into vaginal vestibule (on either
side of the vaginal opening) - thought to provide some lubrication,
may emit a pheromone
hymen: thin mucous membrane partially covering the vaginal opening
perineum: tissue between the genital and anus.

External Female Genitalia

Female External Genitalia:

Normal Variations

Female Internal Genitalia

Vagina: tubular organ connecting external genitals with uterus
Grafenberg spot (g-spot):
mass of erectile and glandular tissue surrounding the urethra just below the
bladder
some women report that simulation to g-spot produces sexual arousal and
orgasm

uterus: hollow muscular organ - purpose to nurture developing fetus

cervix: small lower portion of the uterus that projects into the vagina
cervical os: small opening in the cervix allowing passage of fluids between the
uterus and vagina
myometrium: layers of smooth muscle comprising the uterus
endometrium: inner lining of the uterus that builds a rich blood supply and
sloughs off the lining each month (if conception does not occur)

Female Internal Genitalia

ovaries: female gonads - containing the immature female
reproductive cells
ovum: female reproduce cell
fallopian tubes: thin flexible muscular structures connecting
the ovaries with the uterus - passageway for the ovum to
travel to the uterus
cilia: tiny hairlike projections that line the fallopian tubes and propel
the ovum towards the uterus
fimbriae: fringelike projections that reach out to the ovary to draw a
released ovum into the fallopian tube.

Sexual Response
Response to sexual stimulation involves (Masters &
Johnson, 1966):
vasocongestion
myotonia

Female Internal Genitalia:

Arteries & Veins

Female Internal Genitalia:

Muscles
Pelvic floor muscles
Ischiocavernosus: acts to drive blood into the
body of the clitoris
bulbocavernosus: helps to maintain the
structure of the pelvic tissue and serves as a
vaginal sphincter

Internal Female Genitalia:

Muscles

Female Internal Genitalia:

Nerves
Sexual arousal: stimulation to tactile and
temperature receptors on the genitalia,
breasts, etc.
Orgasm: genital reflex governed by the
spinal cord

Female Internal Genitalia:

Nerves

Male External Genitalia

penis: male copulatory organ
frenulum: underside of the penis, between shaft and glans
glans: enlarged conic structure at the tip of the penis
corona: raised rim or ridge of tissue that separates the glans from the shaft
prepuce (forskin): loose-fitting retractable casing of skin that forms over the
glans
smegma: accumulation of secretions on the penile glans from glands of
foreskin
circumcision: surgical procedure involving removal of the prepuce
scrotum: skin-covered pouch containing the testes

Male External Genitalia

Male Internal Genitalia

corpora cavernosa: two large and uppermost cylindrical masses of penile tissue
corpus spongiosum: lower, smaller cyhlindrical mass of tissue in the penis,
contains the urethra
crura: tapering part of the corpora cavernosa - forms the connection to the pubic
bone
Testes: oval, glandular organs contained in the scrotum - produce sperm, secrete
male hormones
spermatic cord: suspends the testes - contains arteries, nerves, veins, vas deferens
seminiferous tubules: tightly packed, convoluted structures in testicles, produce
sperm
interstitial cells (Leydigs cells): located between seminiferous tubules, produce
androgens

Male Internal Genitalia

epididymis: tightly coiled tube lying along the top of each testis - stores
spermatozoa
vas deferens: structure that transports spermatozoa from testes to urethra
ejaculatory ducts: short tubes that pass through prostate to urethra - passageway
for semen and fluid from seminal vesicles
urethra: tube for transporting urine and semen
seminal vesicles: secretory glands
prostate gland: secretes thin, milky, slightly alkaline fluid, rich in nutrients - into
the seminal fluid - these secretions protect spermatozoa from acidic
environment (male urethra, vagina)
cowpers gland: contribute alkaline fluid to semen

Cross-section of the Penis

corpora cavernosa (upper left)
corpus spongiosum (lower right)

Male Internal Genitalia

sperm: male reproductive cell
spermatogenesis: process of sperm production
spermatozoon: single sperm
spermatozoa: sperm, plural
acrosomal cap: covering of the head of the spermatozoon - contains enzymes
that penetrate the outer cover of the ovum
semen: contains:
spermatozoa: sperm, plural
seminal fluid: contains secretions from seminal vesicles, prostate gland, Cowpers
gland, and epididymis

Sperm

Male Internal Genitalia:

Arteries & Veins

Male Internal Genitalia:

Arteries & Veins

Male Internal Genitalia: Muscles

Male Internal Genitalia: Nerves

Sexual Response Cycle

Masters and Johnson Four-Stage Model

excitement
plateau
orgasm
refractory period

Sexual Response Cycle:

Excitement
For both males and females excitement leads to an
increase in pulse, heart rate, blood pressure and
muscle tension. Similarly both sexes experience
increase blood flow to the genitals and nipples.
In females, the vagina becomes naturally lubricated,
lengthens and widens, whilst the labia swell.
In males, erection of the penis is the most obvious
sign of excitment.

Sexual Response Cycle: Plateau

Further increases in circulation and heart rate occur in both
sexes, sexual pleasure increases with increased
stimulation, muscle tension increases further.
At this stage females show a number of effects. The
areolae and labia further increase in size, the clitoris
withdraws slightly and the Bartholin's glands produce
further lubrication.
Males may start to secrete seminal fluid and the testes rise
closer to the body.

Sexual Response Cycle: Orgasm

Orgasm is the conclusion of the plateau phase in a
release of sexual tension. Both males and females
experience quick cycles of muscle contraction of
the anus and lower pelvic muscles, with women
also experiencing uterine and vaginal contractions.
Males ejaculate approximately 5-10ml of semen.

Sexual Response Cycle:

Resolution
The resolution stage occurs after orgasm and allows the
muscles to relax, blood pressure to drop and the body to slow
down from its excited state.
Generally males experience a refractory period, meaning
orgasm cannot be achieved again until time has passed. The
penis meanwhile returns to a flaccid state. Females may not
experience this refractory period and further stimulation may
cause a return to the plateau stage. Otherwise, significant
changes may also occur, such as the opening of the cervix

and the reduction of blood flow to the genitals and nipples.

Sexual Response Cycle

Sexual Response Cycle

Kaplan three-stage model (1974)
sexual desire
sexual excitement
orgasm

Sexual Response Cycle:

Sexual Desire
Sexual appetite or drive
sexual fantasies
masturbation
seek out, or be receptive to (Basson) sexual
activity