reproductive system

cervic/o

cervix (neck of uterus)

colp/o, vagin/o

vagina

-gravida

pregnant

gynec/o

woman, female

hyster/o, metri

uterus

mast/o, mamm/o

breast

men/o

menstruation, menses

ov/o

egg, ovum

ovari/o

ovary

-para

to give birth

-pexy

surgical fixation

salping/o

fallopian tube

test/i, orchid/o

testicles, testis

genitalia

are the organs of reproductions and their associated structures

perineum

the external surface region in both males and females between the pubic symphysis and the coccyx. male extends from the scrotum to the anus, female extends from the pubic symphysis to around the anus

Scrotum

the sac-like structure that surrounds, protects, and support the testicles. is suspended from the pubic arch behind the penis and lies between the thighs

testicles (testes)

the two small, eff shaped glands that produce the sperm. these glands develop within the abdomen of the male fetus and normally descend into the scrotum before or soon after birth

seminiferous tubules

formed in the sperm of each testicles

epididymis

a coiled tube at the upper part of each testicle. this tube runs down the length of the testicle, then turns upward toward the body. narrows to from the tube called vas deferens

spermatic cord (sperm)

are the gametes (reproductive cells)

semen

the whitish fluid containing sperm that is ejaculated through the urethra at the peak of male sexual excitement

spermatogenesis

the process of sperm formation

penis

the male sex organ that transports the sperm into the female vagina. composed up three columns of erectile tissue

erection

during sexual stimulation, the erectile tissue fills with blood under high pressure, causing swelling, hardness and stiffness

penile and phallic

relating to the penis

glans penis (head)

the sensitive region located at the tip of the penis

foreskin (prepuce)

a retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers and protects the glans penis

vas deferens (ductus deferens)

are the long, narrow continuations of each epididymis. these structures lead upward and eventually join the urethra.

seminal vesciles

glands that secrete a thick, yellow substance to nourish the sperm cells. this secretion forms 60% of the fluid found in semen. located at the base of the urinary bladder and open into the vas deferens as it joins the urethra

ejaculatory duct

begins at the vas deferens, passes through the prostate gland and empties into the urethra. during ejaculation, a reflex action caused by these ducts, semen passes into the urethra, and exits the penis

prostate gland

lies under the bladder and surrounds the urethra in the region where the vas deferens enters the urethra. during ejaculation, secretes a thick, alkaline fluid into the semen that aids the motility of sperm

bulbourethral glands (BG)

two, located just below the prostate gland. one of these glands is located on either side of the urethra, and the open into the urethra

pre-ejaculate, precum

secreted by the BG during sexual arousal, helps flush out any residual urine or foreign matter in the urethra, and lubricates the urethra. contains sperm

urethra

passes through the penis to the outside of the body.

andrologist

doctor focusing on the treatment of conditions affecting male fertility and sexuality

urologist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the genitourinary systems of males and the urinary system of females

andr-

male

balanitis

inflammation of the glans penis that is usually caused by poor hygiene in men who have not had the foreskin removed by circumcision

balan

glans penis

phimosis

narrowing of the opening of the foreskin so it cannot be retraced to expose the glans benis

erectile dysfunction (impotence)

is the inability of the male to achieve or maintain a penile erection

Peyronie’s disease (penile curvature)

a form of sexual dysfunction in which the penis is bent or curved during erection. usually a result of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis

Priapism

painful and persistent erection lasting 4 or more hours but is not accompanied by sexual excitement or after sexual stimulation has ended

premature ejaculation

condition in which the male reaches climax to soon, usually before or shortly after penetration

penetration

refers to the penis entering the vagina during vaginal intercourse

andropause (male menopause)

marked by decrease of male hormone testosterone; the gradual hormonal change usually begins when a man is in his 40s, and can cause low energy, depression, reduction of muscle mass and difficulty sleeping or concentrating

cryptorchidism (undescended testicle)

a developmental defect seen in newborns in which one or both of the testicles have failed to descend into their normal position in the scrotum

crypt

hidden

epididymitis

painful inflammation of epididymis resulting from a bacterial infection

hydrocele

fluid-filled sac in the scrotum along the spermatic cord leading from the testicles, most common in premature infants

testicular cancer

cancer that begins in the testicles. most common in American men 15-35 and highly treatable

testicular torsion

a sharp pain in the scrotum caused by twisting of the vas deferens and blood vessels leading into the testicle

orchitis (testitis)

inflammation of one or both testicles

varicocele

a knot of widening varicose veins in one side of the scrotum, can lead to low sperm production and male infertility

azoospermia

the absence of sperm in the testes

zoo

life

oligospermia

a sperm count below 15 million/mL

hematospermia

the presence of blood in the semen

sperm count (sperm analysis)

the testing of freshly ejaculated semen to determine the volume plus the number, shape, size and motility of the pserm

testicular self-examination

self-help step in detection of testicular cancer by detecting lumps, swelling or changes in the skin of the scrotum

circumcision

surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis

orchiectomy

the surgical removal one or both testicles

orchiopexy

the repair of cryptorchidism, which is an undescended testicle

-pexy

surgical fixation

varicoelectomy

the removal of a portion of an enlarged vein to relieve a varicocele

sterilization

any procedure rendering an individual (male or female) incapable of reproduction

vasectomy

the male sterilization procedure in which a small portion of the vas deferens is surgically blocked or cut. prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate

vasovasotomy (vasectomy reversal)

a procedure performed as an attempt to restore fertility to a vasectomized male

cryopreservation

of sperm allows a man to freeze his sperm indefinitely to use later for in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, or sperm donation. sometimes done to store sperm prior to treatment for testicular cancer

PDE5 inhibitors

drugs such as Viagra used to treat erectile dysfunction by causing vasodilation in the penis

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or infections (STIs)

infections caused by either bacteria or viruses that affect both males and females. spread through sex and genital contact

chlamydia

which is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis, most common STD, highly contagious and requires early treatment

bacterial vaginosis

condition in women in which there is an abnormal overgrowth of certain bacteria in the vagina. cause complications during pregnancy and in increased risk of infection if exposed to HIV

Genital herpes

symptoms include itching or burning before the appearance of lesions (sores) on the genitals or rectum. highly contagious, even when lesions are not visible.

herpes labialis

caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 that can cause cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth

genital warts

caused by the human papillomaviruses, highly contagious, in the male this virus infects the penis, scrotum or anus. in the female, it infects the external genitalia, cervix and vagina. increases risk of cervical cancer, has vaccine

gonorrhea

a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

transmitted through exposure to infected body fluids, particularly through sexual intercourse with an infected partner

syphilis

caused by Treponema pallidum passed by direct contact with a chancre (sore) caused by syphilis, found by blood tests and curable when in early stages

trichomoniasis (trich)

sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, symptoms of foul smelling vaginal discharge in women and painful urination or clear discharge from the penis in men

primary functions of the female reproductive system

ovaries produce mature eggs to be fertilized by the sperm, uterus provides an environment and support for the developing child, and breasts produce milk to feed the child, considered external female genitalia and internal female genitalia

mons pubis

rounded, fleshy prominence located over the pubis symphysis

vulva (pudendum)

labia, clitoris, Bartholin’s glands, and vaginal orifice

labia majora and minora

vaginal lips that protect the other external genitalia and urethral meatus (singular: labium)

clitoris

organ of sensitive, erectile tissue located anterior to the urethral meatus and the vaginal orifice

Bartholin’s glands

produce a mucus secretion to lubricate the vagina, 2 small glands located on either side of the vaginal orifice

vaginal orifice

exterior opening of the vagina

orifice

opening

hymen

thin, mucous membrane that partially covers this opening and can be torn either during the first instance of intercourse or other activity, this tissue can be absent in a woman who has not been sexually active

breasts

made up of fat, connective tissue, and the mammary glands, each breast is fixed to the overlying skin and the underlying chest muscles by suspensory ligaments

mamm/o, mast/o

breast

mammary glands (lactiferous glands)

milk-producing glands that develop during puberty

lactiferous ducts (milk ducts)

carry milk from the mammary glands to the nipple

lact

milk

-iferous

carrying or producing

nipple

surrounded by the dark-pigmented area known as the areola

areola

dark-pigmented skin surrounding the nipple

internal female genitalia

located within the pelvic cavity where they are protected by the bony pelvis, includes 2 ovaries, 2 fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the vagina

ovaries

pair of small, almond-shaped organs located in the lower abdomen, one on either side of the uterus, produce sex hormones estrogen and progesterone

follicle

is a fluid-filled sac containing a single ovum(egg), thousands of these sacs on the inside surface of the ovaries