Chapter 9: The Language of Medicine (Study Terms)

Testicular cancer (carcinoma of the testes)

Malignant tumor of the testicles.

Cryptorchidism; cryptorchism

Undescended testicles.

Hydrocele

Sac of clear fluid in the scrotum.

Testicular torsion

Twisting of the spermatic cord.

Varicocele

Enlarged, dilated veins near the testicle.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign growth of cells within the prostate gland.

Prostate cancer (carcinoma of the prostate)

Malignant tumor (adenocarcinoma) of the prostate gland.

Hypospadias

Congenital abnormality in which the male urethral opening is on the underside of the penis instead of at its tip.

Peyronie disease

Abnormal curvature of the penis.

Phimosis

Narrowing (stricture) of the opening of the prepuce over the glans penis.

Chlamydia

Bacterial infection of the urethra and reproductive tract caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

Gonorrhea

Inflammation of the genital tract mucosa caused by gonococcal infection.

Herpes genitalis

Infection of the skin and genital mucosa caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Infection of the skin and mucous membranes in the anogenital region by HPV.

Syphilis

Chronic sexually transmitted infection caused by a spirochete.

PSA test

Measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood.

Semen analysis

Microscopic examination of ejaculated fluid.

Castration

Surgical excision of the testicles or ovaries.

Circumcision

Surgical removal of the prepuce (foreskin) of the penis.

Digital rectal examination (DRE)

Finger palpation through the anal canal and rectum to examine the prostate gland.

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (GreenLight PVP)

Removal of tissue to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia using a green light laser.

PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) PET scan

Radioactive imaging technique to detect prostate cancer metastases.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Removal of portions of the prostate gland through the urethra.

Vasectomy

Bilateral surgical removal of a part of the vas deferens.

BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia.

DRE

Digital rectal examination.

ED

Erectile dysfunction.

GU

Genitourinary.

HPV

Human papillomavirus.

HSV

Herpes simplex virus.

NSU

Nonspecific urethritis (not due to gonorrhea or chlamydia).

PID

Pelvic inflammatory disease.

PIN

Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia; a precursor of prostate cancer.

PSA

Prostate-specific antigen.

PSMA

Prostate-specific membrane antigen.

PVP

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (GreenLight PVP).

RALP

Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

RPR

Rapid plasma reagin test; a test for syphilis.

STD

Sexually transmitted disease.

STI

Sexually transmitted infection.

TRUS

Transrectal ultrasound examination; used to assess the prostate and guide biopsy needle placement.

TUIP

Transurethral incision of the prostate.

TUMT

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy.

TUNA

Transurethral needle ablation.

TURP

Transurethral resection of the prostate.

Bulbourethral glands

Pair of exocrine glands near the male urethra that secrete fluid into the urethra; also called Cowper glands.

Circumcision

Removal of the prepuce (foreskin); a common elective procedure performed shortly after birth.

Ejaculation

Ejection of sperm and fluid from the male urethra.

Ejaculatory duct

Tube through which semen enters the male urethra.

Epididymis (plural: epididymides)

One of a pair of long, tightly coiled tubes above each testis that stores and carries sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the vas deferens.

Erectile dysfunction

Inability of an adult male to achieve an erection; impotence.

Flagellum

Hair-like projection on a sperm cell that makes it motile.

Foreskin

Fold of skin covering the head of the penis; prepuce.

Fraternal twins

Two infants resulting from fertilization of two separate ova by two separate sperm cells.

Glans penis

Sensitive tip of the penis; comparable to the clitoris in the female.

Identical twins

Two infants resulting from division of one fertilized egg.

Infertility

In a male, any problem that lowers the chances of his female partner becoming pregnant.

Interstitial cells of the testes

Specialized cells adjacent to the seminiferous tubules that produce testosterone; also called Leydig cells.

Parenchymal tissue

Essential distinctive cells of an organ; in the testes, the seminiferous tubules are parenchymal tissue.

Penis

Male external organ of reproduction.

Perineum

External region between the anus and scrotum in the male.

Prepuce

Foreskin; fold of skin covering the tip of the penis.

Prostate gland

Exocrine gland at the base of the urinary bladder that secretes fluid contributing to semen during ejaculation.

Scrotum

External sac that contains the testes.

Semen

Sperm cells (spermatozoa) and seminal fluid discharged from the urethra during ejaculation.

Seminal vesicles

Paired sac-like exocrine glands that secrete fluid (a major component of semen) into the vas deferens.

Seminiferous tubules

Narrow, coiled tubules in the testes that produce sperm.

Spermatozoon (plural: spermatozoa)

Sperm cell.

Sterilization

Procedure that removes a person's ability to produce or release reproductive cells.

Stromal tissue

Supportive connective tissue of an organ; also called stroma.

Testis (plural: testes)

Male gonad (testicle) that produces spermatozoa and testosterone.

Testosterone

Hormone secreted by the interstitial tissue of the testes; responsible for male sex characteristics.

Vas deferens

Narrow tube carrying sperm from the epididymis toward the urethra; also called ductus deferens.