Glorious Glossary and Arousing Anatomy
We’ve all heard terminology thrown around… it has meaning and connotation that has been attached to it based on the conditions in which you first heard it. One of the biggest challenges with talking about sex, pleasure, and desires is the lack of consistent language. In many cultures, there is no language at all for the parts of ourselves that are integral to who we are. Rather than stick this in the back corner for you to go fumbling for if/when you encounter a word you are unfamiliar with, I thought I would put it right out in front. To get everyone on the same page from the very beginning… this page, right here, right now.
Let’s start with acknowledging that, regardless of whether the doctor said “It’s a girl!” or “It’s a boy!” on your birth day, in the first few months of our embryohood, we all started with exactly the same parts. As we developed, many factors, including hormones and chromosomes, combined to produce the configuration of genitals that we were born with. There is a full spectrum of possibilities and all of them are completely natural and normal yet most of what we hear about are just the two ends of the spectrum. I also acknowledge that there are more than 80 sex characteristics and that genitals are just one of them, yet they are given disproportionate weight in determining the gender we are assigned at birth. All gender identities and genital configurations are capable of and deserving of pleasure... ALL are welcome at the Grand Banquet of Sexuality. I would love to hear from you what edits or additions would make these pages feel even more inclusive.
All parts of our anatomy are capable of receiving pleasure. Some are more familiar and quicker to respond, and some areas need some time, love and tenderness to explore and develop a pleasure connection. I encourage you to explore your own genitals and those of partners or friends because they are endlessly fascinating and unique. Grab a mirror or camera and your favorite lube (may I suggest coconut oil?) and start exploring (slowly and gently)!
Penis/ Cock/ Dick/ Lingam/ Phallus- the primary organ associated with “male” genitalia, lots of erectile tissue especially around the head
Testes/ Balls/ Nuts- the round or egg-shaped organs where sperm are produced
Scrotum/ Ball Sack- the thin skin bag which holds the testes/ balls; contracts or expands to bring them closer to or further from the body depending on temperature
Prostate/ Male G-spot- walnut sized gland located at the base of the penis, below the bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounds the urethra, produces fluid for semen, responds to “come hither” motion from rectal stimulation
Anus/ Ass/ Butthole- rectal opening, with nerves and sphincters, only insert items with a flared base so they don't get sucked inside (for retrieval by the ER nurse)
Perineum/ Taint- firm skin between the anus and either the scrotum or vaginal opening, potentially below the labia
Vulva/ Pussy/ Yoni- the entirety of external “female” genitalia inclusive of mons pubis, labia, clitoris head, perineum, urethra and anus;
Mons pubis- fatty mound of flesh directly over the pubic bone
Clitoris/ Clit- the primary organ of pleasure. It has the same erectile tissues as the penis head and over 8,000 nerve endings! It is composed of three parts: the clitoral head/glans which is externally viewable when the hood is pulled back, the clitoral legs which extend internally and attach to the pubic bone and the clitoral bulbs/body which run internally behind the labia and around the vaginal opening and urethra. Lots of YUM here!
Clitoral Hood- the upper most section where the labia meet, providing a cover for the clitoral head, can be pulled back to expose more or can stimulate the clitoral shaft through the skin.
Cervix/ C-spot- donut shaped, upper most end of the vagina at the opening to the uterus; shifts position throughout the month so sometimes it is more easily reached than others, is sensitive to pressure and movement
Labia/ Lips- the fleshy, flaps of skin that fold together around the vaginal opening, generally two sets of lips, inner/minora and outer/majora; the anatomical counterpart to the scrotum. Filled with sensory nerve endings and when aroused, the labia darken as they fill with blood.
Vagina- the birth canal which expands or contracts to accommodate various sized items, most of the nerve endings are near the opening
G-spot/ Goddess spot- soft spongy area approximately 1-3” inside the vagina on the front wall, almost directly below the urethra, filled with nerves and erectile tissue, enlarges when stimulated, responds well to “come hither” movement
Introitus/ vestibule- the lower area where labia come together just below and just outside the vaginal opening, the entrance
A-spot/ A-zone/ Anterior fornix- area ~2” deeper into the vagina than the G-spot, still on the front wall, near the cervix, responds to “window wiper” movement
O-Spot- area on the rear wall of the vagina against the rectum, deep near the cervix, responds to “come-hither” motion
Uterus/ Womb- hollow, muscular organ for growing a fetus; sometimes rhythmically and involuntarily contracts with orgasm
U-Spot/ Urethra- the first small hole south of the clitoral head, area where urine comes out, highly sensitive so use light touch in a tapping or circulating motion, wash hands and toys well before and pee after to prevent UTIs
More Please!
Women's Anatomy of Arousal by Sheri Winston
Anal Pleasure and Health by Jack Miron