Medical Assistant Chapter 42: Urology And Male Reproduction

afferent

Pertains to carrying toward a structure.

anticoagulant

A substance (i.e., medication or chemical) that prevents the clotting of blood.

antihyperlipidemic

A substance (i.e., medication) that lowers the lipid levels in the blood.

antihypertensive

A drug that reduces high blood pressure.

arterioles

Small arteries.

arteriovenous graft

A synthetic tube that connects an artery to a vein; also called an AV graft.ar

arteriovenous fistula

An abnormal joining of an artery and a vein.

calculi

Stones formed in the kidneys, gallbladder, and other parts of the body.

catheter

A hollow, flexible tube that can be inserted into a vessel, organ, or cavity of the body to withdraw or instill fluid, monitor information, and visualize a vessel or cavity.

corticosteroids

A group of steroid hormones produced in the body or given as a medication; some have metabolic functions, and others reduce tissue inflammation. Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are two types.

diuretic

A substance (i.e., medication) that increases the amount of urine produced.

efferent

Pertains to carrying away from a structure.

erythropoietin

A hormone that is produced by the kidney cells and travels to the bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell formation.

filtrate

Fluid and substances that are filtered out of the blood in the Bowman capsule.

gamete

A mature sexual reproductive cell; spermatozoon or ovum.

gonad

Organs that produce sex cells in both males and females.

hyperlipidemia

An elevated level of lipids in the blood.

hypoalbuminemia

A decreased level of albumin (protein) in the blood.

in vitro fertilization

An assisted reproductive technology procedure that involves removing mature eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing the eggs with sperm outside of the body. The fertilized eggs are then transferred to the uterus.

intermittent

Occurring in intervals.

interstitial

Between the cells.

interstitial cells

Testosterone-secreting cells of testes that are found in the spaces between the seminiferous tubules.

intravenous (IV)

Through a vein; fluids and medications can be given through a vein.

metabolites

By-products of drug metabolism.

neuropathy

A nervous system disorder of the peripheral nerves that causes discomfort, numbness, and weakness, especially in the extremities.

peritoneum

A serous membrane lining of the abdominal cavity, which folds inward to enclose the viscera (internal organs).

peritubular capillaries

Blood capillaries surrounding the proximal and distal convoluted tubules in the kidneys.

permeability

A quality or characteristic of a material that allows another substance to pass through it.

puberty

The stage of life in which males and females become functionally capable of sexual reproduction.

residual urine

Urine that remains in the bladder after micturition or urination.

rugae

Folds in the wall of the organ; when the organ (e.g., stomach, bladder, uterus) fills or needs to expand, the rugae unfold.

septicemia

A systemic infection involving pathologic microbes in the blood as a result of an infection that has spread from elsewhere in the body.

spermatozoa (singular, spermatozoon)

Mature male reproductive cells.

stoma

A temporary or permanent surgically created opening used for drainage (i.e., urine, stool).

stretch receptor

A sensory nerve ending that responds to a stretch stimulus.

testis (plural, testes)

The male gonad, also called a testicle (TES ti kul).

testosterone

Male sex hormone produced by the interstitial cells in the testes.

transitional epithelium

A type of cell found in the lining of hollow organs. It has the ability to stretch with the contraction and distention of the organ.

urostomy

A surgically created opening on the abdominal wall used to drain urine.

vascular access

A surgical procedure that creates a vein to remove and return blood during a hemodialysis procedure.

venule

A very small vein.