Medical Terminology- The Male Reproductive System

androgen

any hormone that produces male characteristics

bulbourethral gland

a small gland beside the urethra below the prostate that secretes part of the seminal fluid. Also called cowper gland

circumcision

surgical removal of the end of the prepuce (foreskin)

ejaculation

ejection of semen from the male urethra

ejaculatory duct

the duct formed by union of the ductus deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle; it carries spermatozoa and seminal fluid into the urethra

epididymis

a coiled tube on the surface of the testis that stores sperm until ejaculation

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the male, it stimulates development of sperm cells

gamete

a mature reproductive cell, the spermatozoon in the male and ovum in the female

glans penis

the bulbous end of the penis

gonad

a sex gland; testis or ovary

interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH)

a hormone secreted by the pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the male, it stimulated production of testosterone. Also called luteinizing hormone

inguinal canal

the channel through which the testis descends into the scrotum in the male

interstitial cells

cells located between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce hormones, mainly testosterone. Also called cells of Leydig

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads; also called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) in males

meiosis

the type of cell division that forms the gametes; it results in cells with 23 chromosomes, half the number found in other body cells

pituitary gland

an endocrine gland at the base of the brain

penis

the male organ of copulation and urination

prepuce

the fold of skin over the glans penis; the foreskin

prostate gland

a gland that surrounds the urethra below the bladder in males and contributes secretions to the semen

scrotum

a double pouch that contains the testes

semen

the thick secretion that transports spermatozoa

seminal vesicle

a saclike gland behind the bladder that contributes secretions to the semen

Sertoli cells

cells in the seminiferous tubules that aid in the development of spermatozoa

spermatozoa

mature male sex cells

testis

the male reproductive gland

testosterone

the main male sex hormone

urethra

the duct that carries urine out of the body and also transports semen in the male

vas deferens

the duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct

test/o

testis, testicle

orchi/o, orchid/o

testis

semin

semen

sperm/i, spermat/o

semen, spermatozoa

epididym/o

epididymis

vas/o

vas deferens; also vessel

vesicul/o

seminal vesicle

prostat/o

prostate

osche/o

scrotum

chlamydial infection

ascending infection of reproductive and urinary tracts

lymphogranuloma venereum

general infection with swelling of inguinal lymph nodes; scarring of genital tissue

gonorrhea

inflammation of reproductive and urinary tracts. Urethritis in men, vaginal discharge and inflammation of the cervix in women, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease

bacterial vaginosis

vaginal infection with foul-smelling discharge

syphilis

primary stage: chancre; secondary stage: systemic infection and syphilitic warts; tertiary stage: degeneration of other systems. Cause of abortions, stillbirths, and fetal deformities. Treated with antibiotics

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

An often fatal disease that infects T cells of the immune system, weakening the hose and leading to other diseases

genital herpes

Painful lesions of the genitalia. In women, may be a risk factor in cervical carcinoma. Often fatal infections of newborns.

hepatitis B

causes inflammation of the liver, which may be acute or may develop into a chronic carrier state. Linked to liver cancer

condyloma acuminatum (genital warts)

benign genital warts. In women, predisposes to cervical dysplasia and carcinoma

trichomoniasis

vaginitis. Green, frothy discharge with itching; pain on intercourse; and painful urination

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland; frequently develops with age; also called benign prostatic hypertrophy

cryptorchidism

failure of the testis to descend into the scrotum

epididymitis

inflammation of the epididymis. Common causes are UTIs and STDs

erectile dysfunction

a lack of ability to perform intercourse in the man because of failure to initiate or maintain an erection until ejaculation; impotence

impotence

erectile dysfunction

infertility

decreased capacity to produce offspring

inguinal hernia

protrusion of the intestine or other abdominal organ through the inguinal canal or through the wall of the abdomen into the scrotum

orchitis

inflammation of a testis. May be caused by injury, mumps virus, or other infections

prostatitis

inflammation of the prostate gland. Often appears with UTI, STD, and a variety of other stresses

sexually transmitted disease (STD)

disease spread through sexual activity

sterility

complete inability to produce offspring

urethritis

inflammation of the urethra; often caused by gonorrhea and chlamydial infections

herniorrhaphy

surgical repair of a hernia

prostatectomy

surgical removal of the prostate

vasectomy

excision of the vas deferens. Usually done bilaterally to produce sterility. May be accomplished through the urethra

coitus

sexual intercourse

emission

the discharge of semen

erection

the stiffening or hardening of the penis or the clitoris, usually because of sexual excitement

genitalia

the organs concerned with reproduction, divided into internal and external components

insemination

introduction of semen into a women's vagina

orgasm

a state of physical and emotional excitement, especially that which occurs at the climax of sexual intercourse

phallus

the penis

puberty

period during which the ability for sexual reproduction is attained and secondary sex characteristics begin to develop

spermatic cord

the cord that suspends the testis; composed of the vas deferens, vessels, and nerves

balanitis

inflammation of the glans penis and mucous membrane beneath it

bladder neck obstruction (BNO)

blockage of urine flow at the outlet of the bladder. The common cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia

hydrocele

the accumulation of fluid in a saclike cavity, especially within the covering of the testis or spermatic cord

phimosis

narrowing of the opening of the prepuce so that the foreskin cannot be pushed back over the glans penis

priapism

abnormal, painful, continuous erection of the penis, as may be caused by damage to specific regions of the spinal cord

seminoma

a tumor of the testis

spermatocele

an epididymal cyst containing spermatozoa

varicocele

enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

BNO

bladder neck obstruction

BPH

benign prostatic hyperplasia (hypertrophy)

DRE

digital rectal examination

FSH

follicle-stimulating hormone

GC

gonococcus

GU

genitourinary

HBV

hepatitis B virus

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

ICSH

interstitial cell-stimulating hormone

LH

luteinizing hormone

NGU

nongonococcal urethritis

PSA

prostate-specific antigen

STD

sexually transmitted disease

TPUR

transperineal urethral resection

TSE

testicular self-examination

TUIP

transurethral incision of the prostate

TURP

transurethral resection of the prostate

VD

venereal disease

VDRL

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory