Knowing the correct medical terms for sexual body parts supports bodily autonomy, safety, clear communication, and protection from harm. This article provides accessible guidance for self-advocates, families, and supporters on sexual anatomy, using respectful language and resources tailored for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Content Advisory: This article includes medically accurate information and references to illustrations of human anatomy, including private body parts. These materials are designed for educational use and may not be suitable for all audiences.
For the rest of this year, we are discussing sexual health topics such as body parts, sexual feelings and acts, consent, family planning, and sexually transmitted infection prevention. There is a lot to cover around body parts, but for this article, we will focus on the sexual parts and what they are called.
Sexual Parts or Genitals
Earlier in the year, we discussed bodily autonomy, but another part of bodily autonomy is understanding our sexual parts and how they work. Knowing the medical terms for sexual parts is important because it normalizes these body parts, but also for reporting any harm one has experienced. It is okay to have slang words with friends, but it is also important to know the medical terms for knowledge and protection.
How to Talk about Sexual Parts
There are two options for learning and teaching about sexual parts.
Using the four handouts below, review the handouts and the terms. If you are supporting someone, use the script in blue to introduce and discuss this topic.
When using illustrations of sexual parts, it is important to let people know you are going to show drawings of these parts. They do not have to view these handouts if they are uncomfortable or not interested in learning about this.
If you or the person you are supporting wants to learn more about bodies, a great resource is Your Sexual Health Toolkit from Project SHINE. This website is designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn about the body, boundaries, relationships, and dating. Its images can be blurred or unblurred based on one’s comfort.
Helpful Search Terms for Sexual Parts
Genitals or sexual parts
Intersex
For a person with a vulva/vagina: vulva, vaginal opening, vagina, labia, urethra, clitoris, uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, pubic hair, ova, breasts, and nipples.
For a person with a penis: penis, scrotum, testicles, circumcision, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicles, pubic hair, semen, and sperm.
No one has to know all these terms, but you can choose what you want to cover based on a person’s interest. The important part is that all of us understand the sexual parts and what the medical terms are for those parts.
Many people do not have the language or have been given negative messages about their sexual parts, and we want to normalize these parts. They are just body parts, and we all should know what they are and be able to talk about them.
Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Trainer for Elevatus Training. She has been a sexuality educator and trainer for over 30 years. As a national expert on sexuality and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she trains professionals and parents, as well as people with I/DD, to become sexual self-advocates and peer sexuality educators.
