Glossary of terms about puberty and sex that parents should go over with their teenagers

Acne Lesions: Usually start at the onset of puberty, most common on the face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs.

Amenorrhea: Absence of menstrual periods.

Anus: The outlet of the rectum (the lower part of the large intestine), through which solid waste leaves the body.

Areola: The darker pigmented area surrounding the nipple.

Bacterial Vaginosis Infection: A vaginal infection that causes a burning sensation and a gray, malodorous discharge.

Birth canal: Another term for vagina; the passage a fetus travels through during birth.

Blackhead: An open, noninflammatory acne lesion.

Bladder: The organ that holds urine, liquid body waste.

Bloating: Swollen beyond normal size due to retaining of fluid.

Breast buds: The first stage of breast development during puberty; small swellings directly underneath the nipple.

Candidiasis Infection (Yeast): An infection that may be uncomfortable and itchy.

Cervix: The opening between the uterus and the vagina that has a small opening (about the size of a pencil point), through which menstrual fluid escapes.

Chlamydia: A sexually transmitted disease, see STD Fact Sheets.

Chromosome: A structure in the nucleus of a cell that transmits genetic information.

Circumcision: Surgical removal of all or part of the foreskin of the penis.

Clitoris: A small sensitive organ of erectile tissue located above the opening to the vagina, which responds to stimulation; the female counterpart of the penis.

Contraceptive, Oral (The Pill): A medication that prevents ovulation and pregnancy. May be used to control the symptoms and development of endometriosis.

Corpus Luteum: A small yellow structure that develops within a ruptured ovarian follicle, and secretes progesterone.

Delayed Puberty: A condition in which the youngster fails to complete puberty and develop secondary sex characteristics by sixteen years of age. Puberty may be stimulated with hormonal replacement therapy. Some will outgrow the condition without treatment.

Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation; cramps. This may be a sign of endometriosis.

Ejaculate: The semen and sperm expelled during ejaculation.

Ejaculation: Forceful sending out of seminal fluid from the penis.

Embryo: A name given to a fertilized ovum, from the second through the eighth week of development.

Endocrine gland: An organ that manufactures hormones and sends them out into the bloodstream.

Endometrium: The mucous membrane lining the inner surface of the uterus, which grows and sheds in response to estrogen and progesterone stimulation.

Epididymis: A coiled tube through which sperm exit the testes.

Erectile tissue: Spongy tissue containing many blood vessels; it becomes rigid and erect when filled with blood.

Erection: Hardening of the penis.

Estrogen: Female sex hormone produced by the ovaries.

Excretory system: Organs that eliminate waste from the body.

Fallopian tubes: Tubes that convey the female sex cell (egg, or ovum) from the ovary to the uterus.

Fertilization: Union of the ovum (female egg) with the sperm (male sex cell).

Fetus: An infant developing in the uterus, from the third month to birth.

Flaccid: The relaxed state of the penis.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone: The pituitary hormone that stimulates development of ovarian follicles.

Follicle: A sphere-shaped structure in the ovary, made up of an immature egg and surrounding layer of cells.

Foreskin: Loose skin covering the end of the penis.

Genitals: The external sex organs, also called genitalia.

Genital Herpes: A sexually transmitted disease, see STD Fact Sheets.

Glans: The end, or head, of the penis.

Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted disease, see STD Fact Sheets.

Graafian follicle: A nearly mature egg or ovum, contained in a layer of cells, which ruptures when ovulation takes place.

Growth Spurt: A rapid increase in height and weight, which typically occurs during puberty.

Heredity: The passing on of characteristics from parent to child.

HIV/AIDs: A sexually transmitted disease, see STD Fact Sheets.

Hormones: Chemical substances produced by the body that, depending on the hormone, govern many body processes. Certain hormones cause physical maturation during puberty.

Hymen: A fold of flexible membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening.

Hypothalamus: A part of the brain that, among other functions, secretes chemicals that controls the activity of the pituitary gland.

Impotence: The inability of the man to have an erection and to ejaculate.

Infertility: The inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.

Labia (majora and minora): Two folds of fatty tissue that lie on either side of, and partially cover, the vaginal opening.

Leukorrhea: A thick whitish vaginal discharge.

Luteinizing Hormone: Pituitary hormone that stimulates estrogen secretion, ovulation, and formation of the corpus luteum.

Masturbation: Manual stimulation of the genitalia leading to orgasum.

Membrane: A thin, soft, pliable layer of body tissue.

Menarche: The first menstrual period.

Menopause: The stage at which menstrual activity ends.

Menstrual Cycle: The period of time measured from the beginning of menstruation (a period), through the series of regularly occurring changes in the ovaries and uterus, until the beginning of the next menstrual period.

Menstruation: The cyclical shedding of the uterine lining in response to stimulation from estrogen and progesterone.

Nocturnal Emission: The passing of semen from the urethra during sleep; a wet dream.

Nucleus: The part of a cell that controls its functions and that holds the genetic material.

Orgasm: The psychological and physical thrill that accompanies sexual climax.

Ovary: One of a pair of female reproductive glands, which hold and develop eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone.

Ovulation: The periodic release of a mature egg from an ovary.

Ovum, Ova: A female sex cell, or egg.

Penis: The male reproductive organ involved in sexual intercourse and elimination of urine.

Pituitary Gland: An endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain the gland that is stimulated by the hypothalamus and controls all hormonal functions.

Placenta: The spongy structure that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, through which the fetus derives nourishment.

Pregnancy: The condition of carrying a developing embryo in the uterus.

Premature Ejaculation: A condition in which the man becomes so sexually excited that most of the time he ejaculates prior to penetrating the woman's vagina.

Premenstrual Syndrome: Symptoms such as tension, anxiety, breast tenderness, and bloating, which begin several days prior to the onset of menstruation, and subside when menstruation begins.

Progesterone: A hormone that is involved with the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Prostaglandins: A group of chemicals produced in the uterus, which tend to stimulate contractions and may cause cramps.

Prostate gland: A gland near the male bladder and urethra, which secretes a thin fluid that is part of semen.

Puberty: The period of life during which an individual becomes capable of reproduction.

Pubic hair: Hair over the pubic bone, which appears at the onset of sexual maturity.

Reproduction: The process of conceiving and bearing children.

Scrotum: The pouch of skin behind the penis that holds the testes.

Secretion: The process by which glands release certain materials into the bloodstream.

Semen: A thick fluid, containing a mixture of glandular secretions and sperm cells, that is discharged from the penis during ejaculation.

Seminal vesicle: One of two glands located behind the male bladder, which secrete a fluid that forms part of semen.

Sexual Intercourse: The erect penis of the male entering the vagina of the female.

Sperm: Mature male sex cell.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria: The type of germ believed to cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease, see STD Fact Sheets.

Testis (Testicle): One of two male reproductive glands, which produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. (Plural testes)

Testosterone: A male sex hormone, which causes the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): A rare, but potentially serious disease that has been associated with tampon use.

Toxin: A poisonous substance that may be produced by bacteria.

Umbilical cord: The attachment connecting the fetus with the placenta.

Urethra: A canal that carries urine from the bladder to the urinary opening. In males, the urethra is also the passageway for semen.

Urination: The act of eliminating urine, liquid waste, from the body.

Uterus: The small, hollow muscular female organ where the embryo and fetus is held and nourished, from the time the egg is implanted until the birth of the fetus.

Vagina: The canal that forms the passageway from the uterus to the outside of the body.

Vaginal Discharge: A normal white or yellowish fluid (leukorrhea) from the cervical canal or vagina.

Vas deferens: A thin tube that transports sperm from the testis to the urethra.

Virgin: A person who has not had sexual intercourse.

Vulva: The external female genitalia, including the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening.

Whitehead: A closed acne lesion.

Yeast Infection (Candidiasis): An infection that may be uncomfortable and itchy.

Zygote: A cell produced by the union of a sperm and egg.

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