MedTerms Ch7: Male Reproductive System

testis, or testicle

primary male sex organs, paired, oval-shaped, and enclosed in a sac called the scrotum. The testes produce spermatozoa (sperm cells) and the hormone testosterone.

sperm

the microscopic male germ cell, which, when united with the ovum, produces a zygote (fertilized egg) that with subsequent development becomes an embryo

testosterone

the principal male sex hormone. Its chief function is to stimulate the development of the male reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair

seminiferous tubules

approximately 900 coiled tubes within the testes in which spermatogenesis occurs

epididymis

coiled tube atop each of the testes that provides for storage, transit, and maturation of sperm; continuous with the vas deferens

vas deferens, ductus deferens, or seminal duct

duct carrying the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra. The spermatic cord encloses each vas deferens with nerves, lymphatics, arteries, and veins. The urethra also connects with the urinary bladder and carries urine outside the body. A circular muscle constricts during intercourse to prevent urination

seminal vesicles

two main glands located at the base of the bladder that open into the vas deferens. The glands secrete a thick fluid, which forms part of the semen.

prostate gland

encircles a proximal section of the urethra. The prostate gland secretes a fluid that aids in the movement of the sperm and ejaculation

scrotum

sac containing the testes and epididymis, suspended on both sides of and posterior to the penis

penis

male organ of urination and coitus (sexual intercourse)

glans penis

enlarged tip on the end of the penis

prepuce

fold of skin covering the glans penis in uncircumcised males (foreskin of the penis)

semen

composed of sperm, seminal fluids, and other secretions

genitalia (genitals)

reproductive organs (male or female) (also called gonads)

balan/o

glans penis (combining form)

epididym/o

epididymis (combining form)

orchid/o, orchi/o, orch/o, test/o

testis, testicle (combining form)

prostat/o

prostate gland (combining form)

vas/o

vessel, duct (combining form)

vesicul/o

seminal vesicle (combining form)

andr/o

male (combining form)

sperm/o, spermat/o

spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa), sperm (combining form)

-ism

state of (suffix)

anorchism

state of absence of testis (unilateral or bilateral)

balanitis

inflammation of the glans penis

balanorrhea

discharge from the glans penis

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

excessive development pertaining to the prostate gland (nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland)

cryptorchidism

state of hidden testes. (During fetal development, testes are located in the abdominal area near the kidneys. Before birth they move down into the scrotal sac. Failure of the testes to descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum before birth results in cryptorchidism, or undescended testicles.)

epididymitis

inflammation of the epididymis

orchiepididymitis

inflammation of the testis and epididymis

orchitis, orchiditis, or testitis

inflammation of the testis or testicle

prostatitis

inflammation of the prostate gland

prostatocystitis

inflammation of the prostate gland and the bladder

prostatolith

stone(s) in the prostate gland

prostatorrhea

discharge from the prostate gland

prostatovesiculitis

inflammation of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles

erectile dysfunction (ED)

the inability of the male to attain or maintain an erection sufficient to perform sexual intercourse (formerly called impotence)

hydrocele

scrotal swelling caused by a collection of fluid

phimosis

a tightness of the prepuce (foreskin of the penis) that prevents its retraction over the glans penis; it may be congenital or a result of balanitis. Circumcision is the usual treatment

priapism

persistent abnormal erection of the penis accompanied by pain and tenderness

prostate cancer

cancer of the prostate gland, usually occurring in men middle-aged and older

spermatocele

scrotal swelling caused by distention of the epididymis containing an abnormal cyst-like collection of fluid and sperm cells

testicular cancer

cancer of the testicle, usually occurring in men 15 to 35 years of age

testicular torsion

twisting of the spermatic cord causing decreased blood flow to the testis; occurs most often during puberty and often presents with a sudden onset of severe testicular or scrotal pain; because of lack of blood flow to the testis, it is considered a surgical emergency

varicocele

enlarged veins of the spermatic cord

balanoplasty

surgical repair of the glans penis

epididymectomy

excision of an epididymis

orchidectomy, orchiectomy

excision of the testis (bilateral orchidectomy is called castration)

orchidopexy, orchiopexy

surgical fixation of a testicle (performed to bring undescended testicle(s) into the scrotum)

orchidotomy, orchiotomy

incision into a testis

orchioplasty

surgical repair of a testis

prostatectomy

excision of the prostate gland

prostatocystotomy

incision into the prostate gland and bladder

prostatolithotomy

incision into the prostate gland to remove stones

prostatovesiculectomy

excision of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles

vasectomy

excision of a duct (partial excision of the vas deferens bilaterally, resulting in male sterilization)

vasovasostomy

creation of artificial openings between ducts (the severed ends of the vas deferens are reconnected in an attempt to restore fertility in men who have had a vasectomy)

vesiculectomy

excision of the seminal vesicles

circumcision

surgical removal of the prepuce (foreskin); all or part of the foreskin may be removed)

hydrocelectomy

surgical removal of a hydrocele

radical prostatectomy (RP)

excision of the prostate gland with its capsule, seminal vesicles, vas deferens, and sometimes pelvic lymph nodes; performed by retropubic, perineal, routine laparoscopic approach, or robotic surgery; used to treat prostate cancer

suprapubic prostatectomy

excision of the prostate gland through an abdominal incision made above the pubic bone and through an incision in the bladder and prostate capsule; used to treat BPH (also called suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy)

transurethral incision of the prostate gland (TUIP)

surgical procedure that widens the urethra by making a few small incision in the bladder neck and the prostate gland. No prostate tissue is removed; may be used instead of TURP when the prostate gland is less enlarged

transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)

treatment that eliminates excess tissue present in benign prostatic hyperplasia by using heat generated by microwave

transurethral resection of the prostate gland (TURP)

surgical removal of pieces of the prostate gland tissue by using an instrument inserted through the urethra. The capsule is left intact; usually performed when the enlarged prostate gland interferes with urination.

transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)

ultrasound procedure used to diagnose prostate cancer; sound waves are sent and received by a transducer probe that is placed into the rectum

prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood; elevated test results may indicate the presence of prostate cancer, urinary or prostatic infection, or excess prostrate tissue, as found in benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis

semen analysis

microscopic observation of ejaculated semen, revealing the size, structure, and movement of sperm; used to evaluate male infertility and to determine the effectiveness of a vasectomy (also called sperm count and sperm test)

digital rectal examination (DRE)

physical examination in which the health care provider inserts a finger into the rectum and palpates the size and shape of the prostate gland through the rectal wall; used to screen for BPH and prostate cancer. BPH usually presents as a uniform, nontender enlargement, whereas cancer usually presents as a stony hard nodule

andropathy

disease of the male (specific to the male, such as testitis)

aspermia

condition of without sperm (or semen or ejaculation)

oligospermia

condition of scanty sperm (in the semen; may contribute to infertility)

spermatolysis

dissolution (destruction) of sperm

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

advanced, chronic immune system suppression caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; manifested by opportunistic infections, neurologic disease, and/or secondary neoplasms

artificial insemination

introduction of semen into the vagina by artificial means

azoospermia

lack of live sperm in the semen

chlamydia

sexually transmitted disease, caused by the bacterium C. trachomatis; sometimes referred to as a silent STD because many people are not aware they have the disease. Symptoms that occur when the disease becomes serious are painful urination and discharge from the penis in men and genital itching, vaginal discharge, and bleeding between menstrual periods in women

coitus

sexual intercourse between male and female

condom

cover for the penis worn during coitus to prevent contraception and the spread of sexually transmitted disease

ejaculation

ejection of semen from the male urethra

genital herpes

sexually transmitted disease caused by Herpesvirus hominis type 2 (also called herpes simplex virus)

gonorrhea

sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterial organism that inflames the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

sexually transmitted disease caused by a retrovirus that injects T-helper cells of the immune system; may also be acquired in utero or transmitted through infected blood via needle sharing; advanced HIV infection progresses to AIDS

human papillomavirus (HPV)

sexually transmitted disease caused by viral infection; there are more than 40 types that cause benign or cancerous growths in male and female genitals (also called venereal warts)

infertility

reduced or absent ability to become pregnant; generally defined after one year of frequent, unprotected coitus; may relate to male or female

orgasm

climax of sexual stimulation

puberty

period when secondary sex characteristics develop and the ability to reproduce sexually begins

sexually transmitted disease (STD)

infection spread through sexual contact; affect both males and females, causing damage to reproductive organs and potentially serious health consequences if left untreated (also called venereal disease (VD) and sexually transmitted infection (STI))

sterilization

surgical procedure that renders an individual unable to produce offspring

syphilis

sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum

trichomoniasis

A sexually transmitted disease caused by a one-cell organism, Trichomonas. It infects the genitourinary tract. Men may be asymptomatic or may develop urethritis, an enlarged prostate gland, or epididymitis. Women have vaginal itching, dysuria, and vaginal or urethral discharge.