male reproductive system

Scrotum

Skin pouch behind the penis that contains the testes and part of the vas deferens; cooler than body temperature to support sperm development.

Testes

Egg-shaped glands that produce sperm and testosterone; also called male gonads.

Seminiferous Tubules

Tightly coiled tubes in the testes where sperm are produced.

Epididymis

Long, coiled tube on the testis wall where sperm mature and defective sperm are destroyed.

Vas Deferens

Long duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the seminal vesicle; stores inactive sperm.

Seminal Vesicles

Glands behind the bladder that produce seminal fluid to nourish sperm.

Ejaculatory Duct

Duct formed by the merging of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle; joins the urethra.

Prostate Gland

Donut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder; produces prostatic fluid with antibacterial and enzymatic properties.

Bulbourethral Glands

Pea-sized glands below the prostate; secrete mucus to neutralize urethral and vaginal acidity.

Penis

External organ containing erectile tissue and the urethra; ends at the urethral meatus.

Corpus Spongiosum

Erectile tissue on the underside of the penis.

Corpora Cavernosa

Two columns of erectile tissue on the upper surface of the penis.

Foreskin (Prepuce)

Loose skin covering the glans penis in uncircumcised males.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

Stimulates seminiferous tubules to enlarge and begin spermatogenesis.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Stimulates interstitial cells in testes to secrete testosterone.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone responsible for secondary sexual characteristics and sperm development.

Spermatogenesis

Process of producing mature spermatozoa; involves mitosis and meiosis.

Mitosis

Cell division producing two identical cells with 46 chromosomes.

Meiosis

Specialized cell division producing gametes with 23 chromosomes.

Ejaculation

Process of releasing semen through the urethra during orgasm.

Gynecomastia

Enlargement of male breast tissue due to hormonal imbalance or medication.

Cryptorchidism

Failure of testes to descend into the scrotum; may cause infertility.

Epididymitis

Inflammation of the epididymis due to infection.

Infertility

Inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse.

Oligospermia

Low sperm count; may result from hormonal or anatomical issues.

Orchitis

Inflammation of the testes due to infection or trauma.

Testicular Cancer

Cancer of the testes; most common in men aged 15–35; also called seminoma.

Varicocele

Varicose vein in the testis causing swelling and possible infertility.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate; causes urinary symptoms.

Prostate Cancer

Slow-growing cancer of the prostate; often monitored before treatment.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate due to infection.

Balanitis

Inflammation of the glans penis.

Chordee

Downward curvature of the penis during erection.

Dyspareunia

Painful or difficult sexual intercourse.

Epispadias

Urethral opening on the top of the glans penis.

Erectile Dysfunction

Inability to achieve or maintain an erection; also called impotence.

Hypospadias

Urethral opening on the underside of the glans penis.

Peyronie Disease

Scar tissue in the penis causing painful, curved erections.

Phimosis

Foreskin cannot be retracted from the glans penis.

Premature Ejaculation

Ejaculation before full erection or minimal stimulation.

Priapism

Painful, prolonged erection not related to sexual arousal.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

Infectious disease transmitted through sexual contact.

AIDS

Caused by HIV; weakens immune system; treated with antiretrovirals.

Chlamydia

Bacterial STI causing discharge and pain; often asymptomatic in women.

Genital Herpes

Viral STI causing painful blisters; no cure, but treatable.

Genital Warts

Caused by HPV; raised, itchy lesions; linked to cervical cancer.

Gonorrhea

Bacterial STI with painful urination and yellow discharge.

Syphilis

Bacterial STI with stages; starts with painless chancre, can mimic other diseases.

Trichomoniasis

Protozoan STI; causes discharge and odor in women, few symptoms in men.

DNA Analysis

Compares semen DNA to known samples; used in forensics and paternity.

Genital Herpes Testing

Detects HSV-2 DNA in blood or lesion fluid.

Hormone Testing

Measures FSH, LH, and testosterone levels to assess fertility.

HIV Testing

Includes ELISA, OraSure, Western blot, CD4, and viral load tests.

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)

Test for prostate cancer marker in blood.

PAP (Prostatic Acid Phosphatase)

Detects prostate cancer spread via enzyme levels.

Semen Analysis

Examines sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Syphilis Testing

Includes RPR, VDRL (nonspecific) and FTA-ABS (specific) tests.

Brachytherapy

Radiation therapy using implanted radioactive pellets for prostate cancer.

Ultrasonography

Uses sound waves to image testes or prostate.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

Manual exam of prostate via rectum.

Newborn Genital Exam

Checks for undescended testes or urethral abnormalities at birth.

Testicular Self-Exam (TSE)

Self-check for testicular lumps or cancer.

Androgen Drugs

Treat low testosterone or delay puberty.

Antibiotics

Treat bacterial STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Antiretroviral Drugs

Treat HIV/AIDS.

Antiviral Drugs

Treat herpes and HPV.

BPH Drugs

Reduce prostate size or relax muscles to improve urination.

Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Increase blood flow to produce erection.

Peyronie Disease Drug

Dissolves scar tissue in the penis.

BPH Procedure

Removes excess prostate tissue to relieve symptoms.

Biopsy

Removes tissue sample for cancer testing.

Circumcision

Removes foreskin from penis.

Cryotherapy

Freezes prostate cancer tissue.

Orchiectomy

Removes a testis due to cancer.

Orchiopexy

Repositions undescended testis into scrotum.

Penile Implant

Inflatable device to treat erectile dysfunction.

Prostatectomy

Removes prostate gland and surrounding structures for cancer.

Vasectomy

Cuts vas deferens to prevent sperm in semen; reversible with vasovasostomy.