| HOME Other Health Articles A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z 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. |