The Clitoral Truth: The Secret World at Your Fingertips (20 page)

crura
(KROO ra): See
legs
.

dominance and submission
(D&S): Sexual activities in which one person plays a dominant or controlling role, and the other plays a submissive role. Most practitioners tend to prefer one role over the other, but some enjoy both roles.

egg tubes
: The twin egg transport tubes. One end of each tube is attached to the uterus and the other open ends float near the ovaries. At ovulation, the wavy fingers (fembria) of the tubes capture the egg, which has popped through the ovarian wall, and with an undulating movement (peristalsis), move the egg through the tube into the uterus. Fertilization usually occurs in the outer quarter of the tube several days after ovulation. Also known as Fallopian tubes.

erection
: Filling of the erectile tissues of the clitoris or penis during sexual response. The blood becomes trapped by vasocongestion until the blood is released by orgasm or it seeps out over a few hours.

exhibitionism
(ek-se-BISH-en-iz-mm): Performing sexually for the benefit of one’s self and/or others. Exhibitionist activities include talking, dressing up, or acting out fantasies with a partner or before an audience.

fallopian
(fa-ID-pee-an)
tubes
: See
egg tubes
.

female ejaculation
: ‘The spurt, squirt, gush, or dribble of an alka line fluid that is manufactured in up to three dozen or more tiny pro static glands embedded in the spongy erectile tissue surrounding the female urethra. This fluid is directly equivalent to the alkaline secretion of the male prostate.

female prostate
: Up to three dozen or more tiny glands embedded in the urethral sponge, which produce an alkaline secretion during sexual response. Some of these glands, referred as periurethral glands, empty directly into the urethra. Two larger glands located near the urethral opening, referred to as the paraurethral glands, empty through the paraurethral ducts on either side of the urethral opening.

fork
: A short band of mucous membrane formed where the lower ends of the inner lips of the clitoris meet just beneath the vaginal opening. The medical term is fourchette, meaning “little fork.”

fourchette
(foor-SHET): See
fork
.

frenulum
(FREN-u-lum): See
bridle
.

front commissure
(KOM-I-sure): The point above the glans where the outer edges of the inner lips meet and form the clitoral hood. This junction marks the upper extent of the visible portions of the clitoris. Also called the anterior (meaning “front”) commissure.

genitals
(JEN-I-tals): The organs of reproduction. In women, these include the ovaries, egg tubes, uterus and its neck, or cervix, and vagina. The male reproductive organ is much more complex and includes all of the sexual structures as well.

glans
(GLANZ): The head or tip of the clitoris. Richly endowed with nerve endings, the sole purpose of the glans is to produce pleasurable sensations.

hood
: The crinkled fold of skin formed by the outer edges of the inner lips that covers the glans of the clitoris and is directly equivalent to the male foreskin

homologous
(ho-MOL-e-gus): Organs or body parts that correspond in structure and origin. The clitoris is often said to be homologous to the penis, but many definitions characterize it as a miniature homolog.

hymen
(HI-men): A fold of mucous membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening. The hymen may be torn during normal child hood activities or during first intercourse. In the past, an unbroken hymen was thought to be proof of virginity, but given the essential fragility of this tissue, it is no longer considered a reliable indicator.

inner lips
: Two parallel, highly sensitive folds of skin that enclose the urethral and vaginal openings, forming the introitus. The outer edges of the inner lips meet above the glans to form the clitoral hood and the inner edges meet beneath the glans forming the bridle. Called labia minora (little lips) in Latin.

introitus
(in-TROI-tus): The space formed by the inner lips that encloses the urethral and vaginal openings.

ischiocavernosus
(IS-ke-o-KA-ver-NO-sus) muscles (IC muscles): Thin strips of muscle attached to the clitoral legs that flare out as if to form the sides of a triangle. The other ends are attached to the ischium bones (the bones we sit on).The IC muscles help erection by compressing erectile tissues and trapping blood in them.

Kegel
(KAY-gul)
exercises
: Named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, the gynecologist who developed this exercise in the 1940s, these exercises are designed to strengthen the pubococcygeus (PC) and levator ani muscles, which support the pelvic organs to maintain continence and produce orgasm.

legs
: Two slightly bowed arcs of spongy erectile tissue that originate where the shaft, or body, of the clitoris divides. The legs bow slightly as they separate from the shaft, like the wishbone of a chicken. The Latin term is
crura
.

l
evator ani
(le-VA-tur AN-ee)
muscle
(LA muscle): See
pubococ cygeus muscle
.

meatus
(me-A-tus): An opening or passage. The urethral meatus is located in the introitus, just above the vaginal opening.

mons veneris
(mons ve-NER-is): See
pubic mound
.

Mound of Venus
: See
pubic mound
.

orgasm
: Pleasurable spasms of the clitoral muscles and release of sexual chemicals that result from an overload of stimulation. The spasms of orgasm flush blood from the erectile tissues.

outer lips
: Twin pads of fatty tissue enfolding the visible portions of the clitoris. The commonly used Latin term is labia majora, meaning “large lips.”

oxytocin
(ok-see-TO-sin): A hormone manufactured by the pituitary gland that promotes labor during childbirth and stimulates the release of milk for breast feeding. Oxytocin is also released during sexual stimulation of the breasts and increases sensitivity and engorgement of the genitals.

paraurethral
(pa-ra-u-REE-thral)
glands
: Female prostatic glands located near the urethral opening, which empty through two paraurethral ducts that are usually located at four o’clock and eight o’clock adjacent to the opening. Also called Skene’s glands.

pelvic floor muscle exercises
: Sec
Kegel exercises
.

pelvic floor muscles
: The pubococcygeus (PC) and the levator ani (LA) muscles, which form the pelvic floor. These muscles stretch from

the pubic bone to the tailbone (coccyx) forming a sling or hammock to support the uterus and bladder. The urethra and vagina pass through these muscles. They also constrict the bulbs of the clitoris, helping to maintain erection, and spasm, contributing to orgasm.

perineal
(per-I-NEE-al)
sponge
: A densely packed, tangled mass of blood vessels underneath the perineum that becomes engorged with blood during sexual response and is consequently highly sensitive to pressure and vibration. Sometimes referred to as the perineal body.

perineum
(per-I-NEE-um): The short bridge of skin that separates the visible portions of the vagina from the anus. The perineal sponge lies just beneath the perineum.

prostate
(PRA-state)
gland
: In men, the fibrous, muscular, glandular structure about the size of a walnut that is located just below the bladder, which surrounds the urethra and produces an alkaline secretion that is squeezed into the semen as it passes through the urethra. The prostatic secretion is composed of enzymes, calcium, zinc, and other substances and makes up about 15 percent of the male ejaculate.

prostatic acid phosphatase
(pra-STAT-ic-A-sid FOS-fa-taze) (PAP): An enzyme manufactured by the male prostate, and found in high levels in secretions from the female prostate.

prostate specific antigen
(PSA): A protein produced by the prostate that is attached to cells to identify them as specifically made by the prostate.

pubic mound
: The hairy, fatty pad of tissue that lies above the pubic bone between the abdomen and the clitoris. Also called mons veneris or Mound of Venus.

pubococcygeus
(PU-bo-cox-e-GEE-us)
muscle
(PC muscle): Another name for the levator ani, the part of the pelvic diaphragm, the broad, flat sheet of muscle that forms the bottom of the pelvic floor. During sexual response, the PC muscle contracts, contributing to erection by compressing the erectile tissues of the clitoris. In concert with other clitoral muscles, the PC muscle spasms during orgasm, forcing blood out of erectile tissues, and creating pleasurable sensations. The PC muscle is also critical in supporting the bladder and uterus.

pudendum
(pu-DEN-dum): A Latin word meaning “shame.” The plural, pudenda, refers collectively to the female genital organ, although originally, it referred to both the female and male genitals.

round ligament
: The ends of these twin ligaments are attached to the uterus near the beginning of the egg tubes, and the other ends are woven into the soft tissue underneath each of the outer lips.

sadomasochism
(SA-do-MAS-e-kiz-em) (S/M): Sexual or other activity in which one person dominates or inflicts pain on another. See dominance and submission.

shaft
: The short segment of spongy erectile tissue that is attached to the glans of the clitoris on one end, and folds and divides on the other to form the legs. Also called the body of the clitoris.

Skene’s glands
: See
paraurethral glands
.

spongy body
(
corpus spongiosum
): One of two types of erectile tissue in the clitoris that is composed of tightly packed arteries, veins, and fibrous connective tissue. The glans, shaft, legs, and urethral sponge of the clitoris are composed of spongy body.

suspensory
(su-SPEN-so-ree)
ligament
: The ends of these twin ligaments are attached to the ovaries. The other ends converge and are attached to the glans of the clitoris. During sexual response, these ligaments tighten, pulling the glans back underneath the hood.

Tantra
(TAN-tra): The mystical Hindu philosophy emphasizing the interconnectedness of humans with the natural world and the quest for understanding the multifaceted mysteries of existence. Sex is considered to be the central sacrament of Tantra and the most direct pathway in the quest for knowledge of the divine.

Taoism
(DOW-iz-um): The ancient Chinese philosophical system that emphasizes sex as the most reliable way to discover the Tao (the path or way) to enlightenment about the meaning of life and humanity’s relationship to the universe.

transverse perineal
(per-i-NEE-al)
muscle
(TP muscle): This tight band of muscle forms the base of the triangle formed on each side by the ischiocavernosus (IC) muscles. At its midpoint, the TP muscle is woven into the perineal sponge.

urethra
(u-REE-thra): The canal through which urine is emptied.

urethral
(u-REE-thral)
opening
: The opening thorough which urine empties from the body, located between the glans of the clitoris and the vaginal opening.

urethral
(u-REE-thral)
sponge
: The spongy erectile tissue that surrounds the urethra in both the clitoris and the penis. Many tiny glands hidden in the convoluted folds of the sponge produce an alkaline fluid similar to that produced by the male prostate.

urine
(UR-in):The liquid waste product manufactured by the kidneys and stored in the bladder. Urine is 95 percent water and 5 percent organic matter.

urogenital diaphragm
(u-ro-JEN-I-tal-DI-a-fram): The flat, tri- angular-shaped muscle that underlies the triangle formed by the ischiocavernosus muscles and the transverse perineal muscle.

vagina
(va-GI-na): The mucous membrane-lined passage between the cervix, the lower tip of the uterus, and the outside of the body. The vagina has few nerve endings and is not actively involved in sexual response. The outer third of the vagina is surrounded by clitoral structures and muscles. The vagina’s primary function is reproductive. It collects semen, serves as a conduit for menstrual blood and, during childbirth, as the birth canal.

vasocongestion
(VA-so-con-JES-chun): The temporary or chronic accumulation of blood in an organ or body part. During sexual response blood floods into the erectile tissues of the clitoris, resulting

in vasocongestion. The blood is then flushed by orgasm or seeps out over a few hours. If the blood is not adequately flushed, some women experience a feeling of fullness in the genitals. This feeling may be relieved by masturbation or sexual activity with a partner. In the past, women who had few if any rewarding sexual outlets may have experienced chronic vasocongestion. This condition was termed “hysteria,” and was often relieved by secret masturbation or by a midwife or doctor.

vestibule
(VES-ti-bul): A passage or antechamber. This is the space created by the inner lips that begins at the bridle underneath the glans of the clitoris and ends at the fork below the vaginal opening, enfolding the urethral and vaginal openings. Although the vestibule is created by clitoral structures, since it is just a space it is not considered to be a feature of the clitoris.

virginity
(vir-GIN-I-tee): In the past, when sex was defined through its reproductive function, virginity meant that a woman had never experienced intercourse. Today, the meaning of sex has expanded to include any type of activity or stimulation that is sexually pleasurable and the concept of virginity is rendered meaningless.