Sex Glossary: C





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calendar method: A technique of calculating a woman’s monthly fertile period by counting the number of days in menstrual cycles.

call girl: A prostitute whose primary method of soliciting clients is by making telephone appointments.

Candida albi cans: A species of yeastlike pathogenic fungus that causes vaginitis.

candidiasis: Infection by Candida albicans; a yeast infection.

cantharidin: Dried insects of the beetle species Cant hans vesicaloria sometimes taken as an aphrodisiac.

capacitation: The process by which a sperm becomes capable of fertilizing an ovum after the sperm reaches the fallopian tube.

carcinogenic: Cancer producing.

caring: Feeling concern for or about.

carpopedal spasm: Spastic contractions of the muscles of the hands and feet as occurs during sexual excitement.

carrier: A person who has a certain gene or disease but does not show the effects of it.

case study: Studying in detail one individual or situation rather than numerous individuals or situations.

castration: The surgical removal of the testes.

cavernous bodies: The two upper cylinders of erectile tissue that extend the length of the shaft of the penis.

celibacy: Abstention from sexual activity.

cell: The basic biological unit of living organisms; consists of a circumscribed mass of protoplasm containing a variety of organelles and a nucleus.

cerebral palsy: A nonprogressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in the brain or from trauma at: birth.

cerebrovascular: Pertaining to the blood vessels of the brain.

certified nurse-midwife: (CNM): A nurse who has completed further training in pregnancy and birth and who works in association with a physician.

cervical: Of or pertaining to the neck of the uterus.

cervical cap: A small plastic or rubber contraceptive device which is positioned on the cervix to serve as a barrier to sperm.

cervix: The narrow lower third of the uterus that connects the vagina to the body of the uterus.

cesarean section: Delivery of a child through a surgical incision in the abdominal and uterine walls.

chancre: The lesion of primary syphilis.

“chicken”: A teenage male prostitute.

“chicken porn”: See child pornography. child molestation See pedophilia.

child pornography: Using prepubescent children as subjects for pornography. Also known as “chicken porn” and “kiddie porn.”

Chiamydia trachomatis: A species of bacteria that causes genital infections and the eye disease called trachoma.

chorion: The outer of the fetal membranes, part of which connects with the endometrium to form the placenta.

chorionic gonadotropin: See human chorionic gonadotropin.

chorionic villi: Fingerlike projections of the chorion forming the fetal portion of the placenta.

chorionic villus biopsy: Removal of a small amount of placental tissue for the purpose of detecting fetal abnormalities.

chromosomes: Rodlike DNA-containing structures in the nucleus of cells; they transmit genetic information from generation to generation.

circumcision: The surgical removal of all or part of the prepuce (foreskin) of the penis.

cleavage: Division of the cells of the zygote from fertilization until implantation into the uterus.

climacteric: The syndrome of changes that occur during middle age as a result of declining hormone levels.

climax: See orgasm.

clitoral hood: The fold of the labia minora covering the clitoral shaft; sometimes known as the female prepuce or foreskin.

clitoral orgasm: According to Freudian theory, an orgasm attained exclusively through direct clitoral stimulation.

clitoridectomy: Removal of the clitoris.

clitoris: A small, sensitive, erectile projection situated at the anterior end of the vestibule; homologous to the male penis.

cohabitation: In general, living together; usually refers to unmarried sexual partners sharing housing.

coitus: Heterosexual intercourse by inserting the penis into the vagina; sexual intercourse. coitus interruptus A method of conception control in which the male removes the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation.

colon: The large intestine from the end of the ileum (last section of the small intestine) to the rectum.

colostomy: An artificial opening from the bowel or colon. colostrum: The thin, yellow, milky fluid: secreted through the mammary glands a few days before and after the birth of a baby.

combination pill: A birth control pill containing both synthetic estrogen and progesterone.

communicable disease: A disease caused by a pathogen; one that can be passed from one person to the next.

communicable period: Period during which a disease is contagious.

companionate love: A form of love characteristic of long-term relationships. It involves friendly affection and deep attachment and is less emotionally intense than passionate love.

conception: The moment of fertilization of an ovum by a sperm.

condom: A thin sheath of rubber or skin worn over the penis during coitus to prevent sperm from entering the vagina; also known as a safe, prophylactic, or French letter.

congenital: Present at birth.

congenital rubella syndrome: Infant defects resulting from a woman’s infection with rubella virus during pregnancy.

congenital syphilis: Syphilis that is present in a baby at birth.

conjoined: Joined together, as in “Siamese” twins.

continuum: An uninterrupted gradation of characteristics having infinite intermediate: degrees.

contraception: Preventing conception by the nonsurgical use of various devices, drugs, and techniques.

contraceptive sponge: A small pillow-shaped spermicide-containing spongy device worn over the cervix during intercourse to prevent conception.

coprolalia: Sexual arousal through using or hearing lewd or “filthy” language; also known as scatologia.

coprophilia: Sexual excitement from viewing or perceiving the odor of feces.

copulin: A pheromone produced by dogs.

corona: The rim of tissue surrounding the base of the penile glans.

corpora cavernosa: See cavernous bodies.

corpus luteum: The yellow mass that forms in an ovarian follicle after ovulation; secretes the hormone progesterone.

corpus spongiosum: See spongy bodies. Cowper’s (bulbourethral) glands: Two glands located beneath the prostate gland on either side of the male urethra; secrete preejaculatory fluid.

cryptorchidism: The failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum during fetal life.

culdoscopy: Examination of the pelvic cavity by the introduction of an endoscope through the posterior cavity of the: vagina.

cunnilingus: Oral stimulation of the female genitals.

cystitis: Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

cytomegalovirus: One of the herpes viruses, capable of causing severe damage to a fetus or newborn infant.

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