I.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. Puberty – encompasses the physiologic changes leading to the development of
adult reproductive capacity; the process includes maturation of the hypothalamus,
pituitary gland and gonads. The role of the anterior pituitary gland. The pituitary
secretion of gonadotropin initiates growth and maturation. It occurs initially during
sleep and later in puberty throughout wakefulness.
B. Adolescence – encompasses the physiologic, social, and cognitive changes leading
to the development of adult identity. The process includes individual, achievement
of personal independence and maturation of cognitive reasoning skills.
C. Thelarche – budding of the breasts
D. Adrenarche – development of axillary and pubic hair

 Excitement Phase
  muscle tension, moderate VS
 erotic stimuli causing  sexual tension, may last from minutes to hours
 Vaginal lubrication and vasocongestion of the genitalia.
 Penile erection due to vasocongestion

 Plateu Phase
  and sustained tension near orgasm
 may last 30 sec – 30 minutes
 Formation of orgasmic platform due to prominent vasocongestion.
 Generalized muscle tension, hyperventilation, increased BP,
tachycardia in the late plateau phase.
 Pre-ejaculatory phase with live spermatozoa

 Orgasm
 Involuntary release of sexual tension accompanied by physiologic and
psychologic release,
 immeasurable peak of experience 2 – 3 seconds
 Strong rhythmic contractions of vagina and uterus.
 In males, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, ejaculatory duct and prostate
contract 3-4 times over a few seconds causing pooling of seminal fluid
in the prostatic urethra. Rhythmic contractions in males occur at 0.8
seconds interval that assist in the propulsion process

 Resolution
 Return to normal state
 VS return to normal
 rapid decline in pelvic vasocongestion. All organs return to previous
position