Reproductive System

Med Terms

genitalia

are the organs of reproduction and their associated structures

perineum

is the external surface region in both males and females between the pubic symphysis and the coccyx

scrotum

is the sac-like structure that surrounds, protects, and supports the testicles.

testicles

aka testes, are the two small, egg-shaped glands that produce the sperm

seminiferous tubules

where sperm are formed

epididymis

is a coiled tube at the upper part of each testicle

spermatic cord

extends upward from the epididymis and is attached to each testicle

spermatozoa

aka sperm, are the male gametes

semen

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

spermatogenesis

is the process of sperm formation

penis

is the male sex organ that transports the sperm into the female vagina

glans penis

aka head of the penis, is the sensitive region located at the tip of the penis

foreskin

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

vas deferens

aka ductus deferens, are the long, narrow continuations of each epididymis

seminal vesicles

are glands that secrete a thick, yellow substance to nourish the sperm cells

ejaculatory ducts

which begins at the vas deferens, passes through the prostate gland and empties into the urethra

prostate gland

lies under the bladder and surrounds the end of the urethra in the region where the vas deferens enters the urethra

bulbourethral glands

are located just below the prostate gland

urethra

passes through the penis to the outside of the body

andrologist

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

urologist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the genitourinary system of mmales the urinary system of females

balanitis

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

phimosis

is a narrowing of the opening of the foreskin so it cannot be retracted to expose the glans penis

erectile dysfunction

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

Peyronie’s disease

aka penile curvature, is a form of sexual dysfunction in which the penis is bent or curved during erection

priapism

is a painful and persistent erection lasting 4 hours or more, but is either not caused by sexual excitement or does not go away after sexual stimulation as ended

premature ejaculation

is a condition in which the male reaches climax too soon, usually before or shortly after penetration

andropause

a condition sometimes referred to as male meopause, is marked by the decrease of the male hormone testosterone

cryptorchidism

aka undescended testicle, is 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

epididymitis

is a painful inflammation of the epididymis resulting from a bacterial infection

hydrocele

is a fluid-filled sac in the scrotum along the spermatic cord leading from the testicles

testicular cancer

is cancer that begins in the testicles

testicular torsion

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

orchitis

aka testitis, is inflammation of one or both testicles

variocele

is a knot of widening varicose veins in one side of the scrotum

azoospermia

is the absence of sperm in the semen

oligospermia

is a sperm count of below 15 million/mL

hematospermia

is the presence of blood in the semen

sperm count

aka sperm analysis, is the testing of freshly ejaculated semen to determine the volume plus the number, shape, size, and motility of the sperm

testicular self-examination

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

circumcision

is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis

orchiectomy

also spelled as orchidectomy, is the surgical removal of one or both testicles

orchiopexy

is the repair of cryptorchidism, which is an undescended testicle

varicocelectomy

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

sterilization

is any procedure rendering an individual incapable of reproduction

bilateral orchiectomy

aka castration, is the surgical removal or destruction of both testicles

vasectomy

is the male sterilization procedure in which a small portion of the vas deferens is surgically blocked or cut

vasovasostomy

aka vasectomy reversal, is a procedure performed as an attempt to restore fertility to a vasectomized man

cryopreservation

of sperm allows a man to freeze his sperm indefinitely to use later for in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, or sperm donation

sexually transmitted diseases

are infections caused by either bacteria or viruses that affect both males and females

chlamydia

which is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis, is the most commonly reported STD in the US

bacterial vaginosis

is a condition in women in which there is an abnormal overgrowth of certain bacteria in the vagina

genital herpes

is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or herpes simplex virus type 2

genital warts

caused by human papillomaviruses, are highly contagious

gonorrhea

is a highly contagious condition caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae

human immunodeficiency virus

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

syphilis

which is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, has many symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from other STDs

Trichomonoiasis

aka trich, is an infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

mons pubis

is a rounded, fleshy prominence located over the pubic symphysis

labia majora and labia minora

are the vaginal lips that protect the other external genitalia and the urethral meatus

clitoris

is an 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

vaginal orifice

is the exterior opening of the vagina

hymen

is a thin mucous membrane that partially covers this opening and can be torn either during the first instance of intercourse or other activity

breasts

are made up of fat, connective tissue, and the mammary glands

mammary glands

aka lactiferous glands, are the milk-producing glands that develop during puberty

lactiferous ducts

aka milk ducts, carry milk from the mammary glands to the nipple

ovaries

are a pair of small, almond-shaped organs located in the lower abdomen, one on either side of the uterus

follicle

is a fluid-filled sac containing a single ovum (egg)

ova

aka eggs, are the female gametes

fallopian tubes

aka uterine tubes, extend from the upper end of the uterus to a point near but not attached to an ovary

infundibulum

is the funnel-shaped opening into the fallopian tube near the ovary

fimbriae

are the fringed, finger-like extensions of this opening

uterus

aka womb, is a pear-shaped organ with muscular walls and a mucous membrane lining filled with a rich supply of blood vessels

anteflexion

is the body of the uterus bent forward

fundus

is the bulging, rounded part above the entrance of the fallopian tubes

corpus

aka body of the uterus, is the middle portion

cervix

aka cervix uteri, is the lower, narrow portion that extends into the vagina

perimetrium

is the tough, membranous outer layer

myometrium

is the muscular middle layer

endometrium

is the inner layer, and it consists of specialized epithelial mucosa that is rich in blood vessels

vagina

is the muscular tube lined with mucosa that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body

menstruation

aka menses, is the normal periodic discharge of the endometrial lining and unfertilized egg from uterus

menarche

is the beginning of menstruation

menopause

is the normal termination of menstruation in a woman during middle age

perimenopause

is the term used to designate the transition phase between regular menstrual periods and no periods at all

ovulation

is the release of a mature egg from a follicle on the surface of one of the ovaries that happens on approximately the 13th or 14th day of a woman’s menstrual cycle

corpus luteum

secretes the hormone progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle