Male/Female Reproductive System

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

A potentially life-threatening disease caused by infection with HIV.

Androgen

Hormones that stimulate or control the development of male characteristics; includes testosterone.

Anorchism

The absence of one or both testes.

Antiretroviral therapy

Treatment using medications that inhibit the replication of retroviruses, such as HIV.

Aspermia

The complete absence of semen.

Azoospermia

The absence of sperm in semen.

Balanitis

Inflammation of the glans penis.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

Bulbourethral glands

Glands that produce a fluid that lubricates the urethra.

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Chlamydia

A common sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

Circumcision

The surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis.

Coitus

The sexual union of a male and female involving insertion of the penis into the vagina.

Condom

A contraceptive device worn over the penis to prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of STIs.

Cryptorchidism

A condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum.

Digital rectal exam

A manual examination of the prostate gland through the rectum.

Ejaculation

The discharge of semen from the male reproductive system.

Epididymis

A long, coiled tube attached to the back of the testis that stores and carries sperm.

Erectile dysfunction

The inability to achieve or maintain an erection.

Foreskin

The retractable fold of skin covering the end of the penis.

Genital herpes

A sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Glans penis

The bulbous tip of the penis.

Gonorrhea

A sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

A virus causing contagious sores, most often around the mouth or on the genitals.

Hormone therapy

Treatment to alter hormone levels to slow or stop cancer cell growth.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

A virus that attacks the T-helper cells of the immune system.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

A group of viruses causing warts and associated with some types of cancer.

Hydrocele

A fluid-filled sac around a testicle.

Hydrocelectomy

Surgical removal of a hydrocele.

Immunotherapy

Treatment that uses parts of a person’s immune system to fight diseases.

Inguinal hernia

A condition where part of the intestine protrudes through the inguinal canal.

Inguinal orchiectomy

Surgical removal of a testicle through an incision in the groin area.

Libido

Sexual desire or drive.

Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT)

A laboratory test to detect specific organisms, such as bacteria or viruses.

Open radical prostatectomy

A surgical technique to remove the prostate gland through an incision.

Orchiectomy

Surgical removal of one or both testicles.

Orgasm

The climax of sexual stimulation.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

A complication of STIs affecting female reproductive organs.

Pelvic lymphadenectomy

Surgical removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis.

Penis

The male organ used for urination and sexual intercourse.

Phimosis

A condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted.

Prepuce

Another term for foreskin.

Priapism

A prolonged and painful erection of the penis.

Prostate

A gland that produces some fluid in semen.

Prostate cancer

Cancer that develops in the prostate gland.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

A protein produced by the prostate gland indicative of prostate issues.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland.

PSMA PET scan

An imaging test to detect prostate cancer cells.

Puberty

The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity.

Radiation therapy

Treatment using high-energy waves to destroy cancer cells.

Radical laparoscopic prostatectomy

Minimally invasive surgery to remove the prostate.

Radical prostatectomy

Surgery to remove the entire prostate gland.

Radiopharmaceutical therapy

Treatment using radioactive drugs to target cancer cells.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

A method for prostate removal using robotic techniques.

Scrotum

A pouch of skin containing the testicles.

Semen

The fluid ejaculated during orgasm.

Semen analysis

A test to evaluate the characteristics of a male’s semen.

Seminal vesicle biopsy

A procedure to examine fluid from seminal vesicles.

Seminal vesicles

Glandular pouches that secrete semen.

Seminiferous tubules

Narrow, coiled tubules in the testes where sperm are produced.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Diseases transmitted primarily through sexual activity.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Infections typically spread through sexual contact.

Sperm

Male reproductive cells involved in sexual reproduction.

Spermatic cord

A bundle of nerves connecting the testicles to the abdominal cavity.

Spermatocele

A fluid-filled cyst in the epididymis.

Spermatogenesis

The process of sperm cell development.

Sterilization

A permanent method of contraception.

Syphilis

A sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum.

Targeted therapy

Cancer treatment using drugs targeting specific genes.

Testes

The male reproductive organs that produce sperm.

Testicular cancer

Cancer that originates in the testicles.

Testicular torsion

A medical emergency where the spermatic cord twists.

Testosterone

A primary male sex hormone responsible for male characteristics.

Torsion

The twisting of the spermatic cord.

Transrectal biopsy

Tissue sample removal from the prostate via the rectum.

Transrectal MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate.

Transrectal MRI guided biopsy

A procedure using MRI to guide tissue sample removal.

Transrectal ultrasound

A procedure using ultrasound to visualize the prostate.

Transurethral

Pertaining to going through the urethra.

Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)

A surgical procedure to incise the prostate gland.

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)

Treatment for BPH using microwave energy.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

A procedure to remove part of the prostate.

Trichomoniasis

A common sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan.

Urologist

A physician specializing in urinary and reproductive disorders.

Urology

The study of the urinary tract systems and male reproductive system.

Varicocele

An enlargement of the veins within the scrotum.

Vas deferens

The duct that conveys sperm from the testicle.

Vasectomy

A surgical procedure for male sterilization.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Unusual bleeding from the vagina, including very heavy menstrual flow, bleeding between cycles, or prolonged bleeding.

Adenocarcinoma in situ

A condition where advanced, precancerous cells are found in the glandular tissue of the cervix.

Adnexa

The accessory structures of the uterus, including the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Amenorrhea

The absence of menstrual flow.

Anovulation

The absence of ovulation when an egg is not released from the ovaries.

Bartholin’s glands

Glands that secrete mucus to keep the vestibular area moist, located near the vaginal opening.

Bilateral oophorectomy

Removal of both ovaries.

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

Removal of both ovaries and both Fallopian tubes.

Biopsy

A diagnostic procedure where tissue, fluid, or lymph nodes are removed for examination under a microscope.

Breast cancer

Malignant tumors developing from breast tissue cells.

Breast-conserving surgery

Surgical procedure removing only the cancerous part of the breast, not the entire breast.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A diagnostic imaging technique used to create detailed images of the breast tissue.