Male Reproductive System Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical structures, combining forms, and diseases of the male reproductive system.

vas deferens

Duct (tube) carrying the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra; enclosed with nerves, lymphatics, arteries, and veins in the spermatic cord.

seminal vesicles

Two accessory glands posterior to the bladder that secrete a thick fluid forming part of the semen.

prostate gland

Walnut-shaped gland encircling the proximal urethra, secreting fluid that aids in sperm movement and ejaculation.

semen

Substance composed of sperm, seminal fluids, and other secretions.

scrotum

Sac containing the testes and epididymides, suspended posterior to the penis.

penis

Male organ of urination and coitus (sexual intercourse).

glans penis

Enlarged tip on the end of the penis.

prepuce

Fold of skin covering the glans penis in uncircumcised males (foreskin).

genitalia

Reproductive organs (male or female), including internal and external structures.

gonads

Primary reproductive organs: testes in males, ovaries in females.

andr/o

Combining form meaning 'male'.

balan/o

Combining form meaning 'glans penis'.

epididym/o

Combining form meaning 'epididymis'.

orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o

Combining forms meaning 'testis, testicle'.

prostat/o

Combining form meaning 'prostate gland'.

sperm/o, spermat/o

Combining forms meaning 'sperm, spermatozoon'.

vas/o

Combining form meaning 'vessel, duct' (vas deferens in male reproductive terms).

vesicul/o

Combining form meaning 'seminal vesicle(s)'.

crypt/o

Combining form meaning 'hidden'.

olig/o

Combining form meaning 'scanty, few'.

a- / an-

Prefixes meaning 'absence of, without'.

hyper-

Prefix meaning 'above, excessive'.

-algia

Suffix meaning 'pain'.

-ectomy

Suffix meaning 'excision, surgical removal'.

-itis

Suffix meaning 'inflammation'.

-plasty

Suffix meaning 'surgical repair'.

-rrhea

Suffix meaning 'flow, discharge'.

andropathy

Disease of the male (specific to the male, such as orchitis).

anorchism

State of absence of testis (unilateral or bilateral).

balanitis

Inflammation of the glans penis.

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland, causing narrowing of the urethra and interfering with urine passage; also called benign prostatic hypertrophy.

cryptorchidism

State of hidden testis; failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum before birth; also called undescended testicle.

epididymitis

Inflammation of the epididymis.

orchiepididymitis

Inflammation of the testis and the epididymis.

orchitis

Inflammation of the testis; also called orchiditis.

prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland.

prostatocystitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland and the (urinary) bladder.

prostatolith

Stone(s) in the prostate gland.

prostatorrhea

Discharge from the prostate gland.

prostatovesiculitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles.

testis (testicle)

Primary male sex organ, paired, oval-shaped, enclosed in the scrotum; produces spermatozoa and testosterone.

seminiferous tubules

Approximately 900 coiled tubes within the testes in which spermatogenesis occurs.

sperm (spermatozoon)

Microscopic male germ cell which, when united with the ovum, produces a zygote.

testosterone

The principal male sex hormone; stimulates development of male reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics.

epididymis

Coiled tube attached to each testis that provides for storage, transit, and maturation of sperm; continuous with each vas deferens.