Glossary

Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

For more detail on sexuality and gender diversity terms please visit the Freedom Centre website. www.freedom.org.au/glossary

A

Abstinence

Abstaining from sexual intercourse

Adolescence

The period in human life between puberty and adulthood

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The medical condition in which the body’s immune system is severely weakened and is unable to fight certain infections that are usually rare or mild among healthy people

Amenorrhoea

The absence or cessation of menstruation

Amniocentesis Diagnostic

Method that can identify foetal defects by extracting and analysing the amniotic fluid

Antibody

A special kind of blood protein, produced in large quantities by the immune system as part of its response to foreign organisms (antigen). Each antibody is coded to recognise and attack a unique antigen. Antibodies bind to the antigen making it more ‘tasty’, triggering bigger immune cells to attack and engulf the antigen

Areola

The area around the breast nipple which is usually pinkish or brownish

Artificial insemination

Medically placing sperm into a woman’s reproductive tract

AZT

The common name for zidovudine (also known by the brand name Retrovir), the first drug shown to be of benefit to people with HIV and AIDS. AZT blocks the ability of HIV to copy itself into a form that is necessary to invade the genetic material of human cells. Research has shown that AZT is best used in combination with other medications. AZT is a treatment for HIV and AIDS but not a cure.

B

Bartholin’s glands

Mucous glands located on the membrane between the urethral and vaginal openings

BBV

Blood-borne viruses

B-cells or B-lymphocytes

A subgroup of the lymphocytes, these cells are responsible for producing antibodies in response to invading organisms

Blood-borne virus (BBV)

Viruses that can be passed from person to person by the interchange of blood

Blood product

An artificial product made from human blood and used to treat certain illness. An example is Factor VIII which is made from concentrated human blood and used to help control the bleeding resulting from haemophilia

C

Caesarian section

A surgical procedure in which an incision is made in a pregnant woman’s lower abdomen to open the uterus and remove the infant

Cervix

The neck of the uterus, forming a passage between a woman’s vagina and her uterus

Circumcision

Surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis

Colostrum

A protein-rich substance secreted in breast milk in the first few days after a mother has given birth

Cowper’s Glands

Small glands that secrete drops of alkalising fluid into the urethra

D

Dysmenorrhoea

Painful menstruation, often with a physical cause

E

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants itself in a woman's fallopian tube, or other organ, and not in her uterus.

Ejaculation

The expulsion of semen from the urethra

Embryo

The developing infant during the first two months of conception

Endometrium

The inside layer of the uterus composed of mucous-like tissue

Epididymis

A coiled tube lying over the testes in which sperm mature

Episiotomy

An incision made between the vagina and anus to prevent vaginal tearing during child birth

F

Fimbria

Finger-like projections coming from the fallopian tubes and embracing the ovary. When ovulation is about to occur, the sex hormones activate the fimbriae, causing them to swell with blood and sweep against the ovary. An egg is released from the ovary and the cilia of the fimbriae transport the egg into the Fallopian tube

Foetal alcohol syndrome

Physical and intellectual birth defects caused by frequently drinking alcohol during pregnancy

Foetus

The developing infant during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

G

Gender

How a person, thinks, acts, dresses and speaks which distinguishes them as masculine or feminine. The sociological construction of one’s masculinity or femininity. One’s gender can be masculine, feminine and/or androgynous.

“Gender refers to the economic, social and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male or female.”
Source: Transforming health systems: gender and rights in reproductive health. WHO, 2001.

Gender identity

The self awareness of being male or female. The label or name one uses to define and identify their gender. One’s sense of being male or female. Our sense of our selves in regards to our gender, gender role, masculinity and/or femininity. The most common gender identities are male and female, however there are many others in the gender diverse community such as genderqueer, trans man, trans woman, transgender, trans*, boi, sistergirl, brotherboy, FTM / F2M (female to male), MTF / M2F (male to female)etc.

“the sense of self associated with cultural definitions of masculinity and femininity. Gender identity is not so much acted out as subjectively experienced. It is the psychological internalization of masculine or feminine traits. Gender identity arises out of a complex process of interaction between self and others. The existence of transvestite and transsexual identities indicates that gender is not dependant upon sex alone, and arises from the construction of gender identities.”
Source: Jary & Jary (2000) Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd Ed.

Gender role

The way we behave under the expectations society has for a person’s self expression, behaviour and appearance based on their biological sex.

“The social expectations arising from conceptions surrounding gender and the behavioural expression of these, including forms of speech, mannerisms, demeanour, dress and gesture. Masculine and feminine ideas are often deemed to be mutually exclusive, and in some societies the role behaviours may be polarized.”
Source: Jary & Jary (2000) Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd Ed.

Gene

The basic unit of heredity transmitted on the chromosome

Genitals

The external sexual reproductive organs; the penis and vulva

H

Haemophilia

A rare bleeding disorder caused by the lack of one of twelve essential clotting factors, usually Factor VIII. Usually a hereditary disorder, haemophilia mostly affects males but it is passed on both by haemophiliac males and unaffected females

Hepatitis

Means inflammation of the liver. There are a number of hepatitis viruses which all cause inflammation and damage to the liver. However, the different viruses are transmitted differently and may result in different illnesses needing different treatment

Hepatitis B

A blood-borne viral infection that affects the liver and that may or may not cause acute disease

Hepatitis C

A blood-borne viral infection which affects the liver

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus which causes AIDS. The virus was discovered by French researchers in 1983, and later by American researchers

Hormones

Internally produced chemicals that regulate many different bodily functions and behaviours

Hymen

A mucous membrane that may partly cover the entrance to the vagina

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus

L

Labia majora

Two folds of skin, covered with hair and forming a pad of fatty tissues on the pubic bone

Labia minora

Two folds of skin, within the labia majora

Lumpectomy

Surgical removal of a growth, a lump, in the breast

M

Mastectomy

Surgical removal of the female breast

Menopause

The time when menstruation completely ceases, usually in middle-age

Menstruation

The monthly vaginal discharge of blood and the lining of the uterus

Miscarriage

Expulsion of the embryo or foetus during the first months of pregnancy

Mons

The area in women below the abdomen composed of soft tissue and covered with pubic hair

Myometrium

The muscular middle portion of the uterus

N

Nocturnal emission

Ejaculation of semen during sleep; a wet dream

O

Ovulation

The release of an egg from the ovaries for fertilisation

P

Pap smear

A method for testing for cervical cancer.

Perimetrium

The fluid-like outer layer of the uterus

Perineum

The small, sensitive area between the anus and sexual organs

Period

 A term commonly used instead of menstruation.  Its origins arise from the days of the menstrual flow

Pheromones

Chemicals produced by the body that influence attraction

Placenta

Organ through which the foetus in the uterus receives nourishment and rids itself of waste

Premenstrual Syndrome

Tension, breast tenderness, backache and other symptoms sometimes associated with the few days preceding menstrual flow

Prenatal

Before birth

Prostate

Gland at the base of the bladder providing seminal fluid

Puberty

The period in early adolescence when a child becomes sexually mature

S

Scrotum

The sac behind the penis that contains the testicles

Semen

A whitish, cream fluid containing sperm

Sexual harassment

Unwanted attention of a sexual nature that creates embarrassment or stress

Sexual orientation

The direction of one’s sexual and romantic attractions and interests towards members of the same, opposite or both sexes, or all genders.

Sexuality

Sexuality is an integral part of our personality. It influences, thoughts, feelings, actions and interactions, and thereby our mental and physical health

Sperm

The male reproductive cells found in the semen

STIs (previously known as STDs)

Sexually transmissible infections

T

Testicles

The testes and epididymis

U

Umbilical cord

Cord connecting the foetus with the placenta

Urethra

A tube connecting the bladder and urethral meatus through which urine is expelled both in males and females

Uterus

A pear-shaped organ in which the fertilised egg implants and develops into a foetus

V

Vagina

The passage in females leading from the uterus to the external genitals

Vas deferens

A tube in the scrotum that transports semen to the urethra

Vasectomy

Male sterilisation performed by cutting the vas deferens

Vestibule

The space at the outermost portion of the vagina

Vulva

External female genitals, including the inner and outer lips (labia majora and minora), the mons, the clitoris and vaginal opening

Z

Zygote

The cell produced by the union of ovum and sperm

Adapted from:

WA Department of Health (2002). Growing and developing healthy relationships: Curriculum Support Materials.