Glossary of sexual terms

Clitoral glans = the only visible part (the tip) of the clitoral organ, which is usually (but misleadingly) referred to as “the clitoris”

Clitoral organ = the whole internal organ, which is adjacent to (even contiguous with) the vagina and includes the body (or shaft) and the glans

Clitoral stimulation = typically refers to (manual or oral) stimulation of the clitoral glans, neither of which cause orgasm. Female orgasm is achieved by pressing down rhythmically with the fingers of both hands over the glans and into the internal tissue either side of the labia majore (thereby massaging the blood flow within the clitoral organ) together with simultaneous clenching of the buttocks. Stimulation is instinctive and is applied in response to a conscious and intense mental focus on erotic but non-graphic scenarios.

Coitus = intercourse (the penis thrusting into the vagina), which may include upper-body lovemaking (mouth to mouth kissing and non-genital caressing)

Come-on = a behaviour that acts as a sexual invitation to a male partner (a behaviour that causes male arousal and that is therefore a turn-on)

Cunnilingus = oral stimulation of the clitoral glans, which provides only mild sensual stimulation and does not cause orgasm

Ejaculation = the ejaculation of semen containing spermatozoa (sperm), which is triggered by male orgasm. Causes impregnation if it occurs within or close to the vagina allowing a sperm to join with an egg from the ovaries.

Emotional rewards = these vary between the sexes. Some women enjoy pleasuring men. Some men hope for an erotic response from a partner.

Erection = in response to biological (hormonal) or psychological stimuli, blood flows to the penis and is trapped by muscles at the base of the penis

Erotica = soft porn aimed at women and not intended to cause arousal

Eroticism = stimuli (visual or mental fantasy) relating to portrayals of explicit sexual activity that may cause arousal for men and for responsive women

Fellatio = oral stimulation of the glans and the shaft of the penis in such a way as to simulate intercourse

Intercourse = penis thrusting into vagina or anus until ejaculation

Lovemaking = upper body kissing and caressing that women may enjoy given their lack of arousal and consequent lack of interest in genital stimulation with a lover (typically coincident with intercourse with a male partner)

Masturbation = self-stimulation of the phallus (for men) and almost any anatomy (for women) usually alone and not necessarily engaged in with the intention of achieving orgasm (especially for women)

Mental arousal = subconscious in men (real-world triggers or graphic fantasy) but consciously generated in responsive women (non-graphic scenarios)

Oral sex = cunnilingus is promoted as the equivalent of fellatio even though the parallel is fallacious (oral sex does not work the same way for women)

Orgasm = a sexual release of the accumulated arousal that accumulates when the mind focuses on erotic stimuli causing contractions in the pelvic region

Orientation = whether a person is attracted to someone of the same sex (homosexual), the opposite sex (heterosexual) or both sexes (bisexual). Gay men focus on genital activity; lesbians focus on emotional connection

Penetrative sex = intercourse (both vaginal and anal) as well as fellatio

Penile stimulation = the rhythmic massaging of the erect penis (shaft or body), which may be combined with simultaneous clenching of the buttocks

Phallus = organ involved in sexual response (penis or clitoris)

Physical arousal = as a result of mental arousal, the brain sends blood to the genitals (especially the phallus). This causes intensely conscious sensations in men but women are rarely conscious of any physical arousal

Pornography = male masturbation aid involving graphic sexual activity

Real-world erotic triggers = men are aroused by what they see in reality and by opportunities for intercourse (women are not aroused by such stimuli)

Reproductive organs = mostly internal organs (except for the penis which is partly an external orgasm) that are involved in reproduction

Sexual behaviours = the ways in which men and women (both gay and straight) behave in sexual scenarios. Such behaviours are in part determined by a person’s level of sexual arousal (minimal in women but intense in men)

Surreal erotic fantasises = in order to achieve orgasm responsive women use explicitly erotic fantasies which focus on the role of the penetrating male

Tumescence = increased blood flow primarily in the genitals

Turn-on = an aspect of eroticism that causes arousal (whether intended for that purpose or not)

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