Chapter 13 – Male Reproductive System

Vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomy, conditions, procedures, tests, therapies, and abbreviations from the Male Reproductive System lecture.

Functions of the male reproductive system

Produce and store sperm, introduce sperm into the female reproductive tract, and secrete hormones for secondary sexual characteristics

Penis

Erectile organ containing the urethra and ducts for seminal fluid secretion

Glans penis

Bulging, acorn-shaped structure at the distal end of the penis

Prepuce (foreskin)

Loose casing that covers the glans penis; often removed by circumcision

Scrotum

Skin-covered pouch divided into two sacs, each housing a testis and epididymis

Testis (testicle)

Male gonad that produces sperm and testosterone

Epididymis

Coiled duct atop and alongside the testis that stores sperm before emission

Vas deferens (ductus deferens)

Duct carrying sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct

Seminal vesicle

One of two sac-like glands behind the bladder that add alkaline fluid to semen

Semen

Mixture of secretions from testes, seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands discharged during orgasm

Ejaculatory duct

Duct formed by union of vas deferens and seminal-vesicle duct; empties into urethra

Prostate gland

Trilobular gland encircling the urethra below the bladder; adds alkaline fluid to semen

Bulbourethral (Cowper) glands

Pair of glands below the prostate that secrete viscid fluid into the urethra

Perineum (male)

External region between scrotum and anus

Sperm / spermatozoon

Male gamete composed of head, midpiece, and flagellum

Combining form balan/o

Refers to the glans penis

Combining form epididym/o

Refers to the epididymis

Combining forms orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o, test/o

Refer to the testis or testicle

Combining form perine/o

Refers to the perineum

Combining form prostat/o

Refers to the prostate

Combining forms sperm/o, spermat/o

Refer to sperm (seed)

Combining form vas/o

Refers to a vessel; in this context, the vas deferens

Aspermia

Inability to secrete or ejaculate sperm

Azoospermia

Semen without living spermatozoa

Oligospermia

Decreased production and expulsion of sperm

Mucopurulent discharge

Drainage that contains mucus and pus

Anorchism

Absence of one or both testes

Balanitis

Inflammation of the glans penis

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicle that remains in abdomen or inguinal canal

Epididymitis

Inflammation of the epididymis

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Failure to initiate or maintain an erection until ejaculation

Hydrocele

Hernia of fluid in or around the testis

Hypospadias

Congenital urethral opening on the underside of the penis

Peyronie disease

Fibrous tissue buildup in corpus cavernosum causing painful penile curvature

Phimosis

Narrowed prepuce that cannot retract over the glans penis

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Non-malignant enlargement of the prostate causing urinary obstruction

Prostatic cancer

Malignancy of the prostate gland

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate

Spermatocele

Painless cystic mass containing sperm above and behind the testis

Testicular cancer

Malignant tumor of one or both testicles arising from germ cells

Seminoma

Common, highly treatable testicular tumor of immature germ cells

Nonseminoma

More aggressive testicular tumor from mature germ cells (e.g., embryonal carcinoma, teratoma)

Varicocele

Enlarged, twisted, herniated veins near the testis

Chlamydia

Most common bacterial STD, often asymptomatic

Gonorrhea

Contagious bacterial infection of genital mucosa caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Syphilis

Spirochete infection that progresses in stages; initial chancres appear on skin

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Virus causing liver inflammation; transmitted via body fluids

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)

Virus producing recurrent genital ulcerations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Virus that causes AIDS, weakening immune defenses

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Virus transmitted by direct contact causing genital infections and warts

Condyloma acuminatum

Cauliflower-like wart caused by HPV; also called genital wart

Biopsy (Bx)

Tissue sampling to identify neoplasia

Prostate biopsy

Needle biopsy of prostate, often ultrasound-guided

Testicular biopsy

Surgical sampling of testicular tissue

Digital rectal examination (DRE)

Finger palpation of rectum and prostate

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

Blood test screening for prostate cancer

Urethrogram

X-ray study of the urethra and prostate

Semen analysis

Laboratory study measuring sperm count, morphology, and motility

Endorectal (transrectal) sonogram of the prostate

Ultrasound scan via rectum; guides prostate biopsy

Circumcision

Surgical removal of the foreskin

Epididymectomy

Surgical removal of an epididymis

Orchiectomy (orchidectomy)

Surgical removal of a testicle

Orchioplasty

Surgical repair of a testicle

Orchiopexy

Fixation of an undescended testis into the scrotum

Prostatectomy

Surgical removal of the prostate gland

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Endoscopic removal of prostatic tissue via urethra to treat BPH

Vasectomy

Removal of a segment of vas deferens to induce sterility

Vasovasostomy

Surgical reconnection of the vas deferens to restore fertility

Chemotherapy

Treatment using chemical agents to destroy or inhibit malignant cells

Radiation therapy

Use of ionizing radiation to control or kill cancer cells

Brachytherapy

Radiation treatment via internal implantation of radioactive seeds

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Administration of hormones, e.g., testosterone, to correct deficiencies

Penile prosthesis

Implanted device that enables penile erection

Penile self-injection

Intracavernosal injection therapy inducing erection for ED treatment

Abbreviation BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia / hypertrophy

Abbreviation ED

Erectile dysfunction

Abbreviation PSA

Prostate-specific antigen

Abbreviation TURP

Transurethral resection of the prostate

Term tip – Prostate vs. Prostrate

Prostate refers to the male gland; prostrate means lying face down or exhausted