Male & Female Reproductive Systems

Male Reproductive System

Also called the Genitourinary System due to the proximity of both systems. Consists of Internal & external Anatomy

Gynecomastia

Enlargement of the Male breast tissue. Can occur due to puberty, age, pituitary gland issues, the removal of the testes, or administration of hormone drugs to treat prostate cancer. Hyposecretion of Testosterone

gynec/o=female, mast/o=breast, -ia=condition

Cryptorchidism

Failure of one or both testes to move down through the inguinal canal into the scrotal sack; results in low sperm count and infertility

Orchid etymology: roots/root balls of the orchid plant

Orchitis

Infection/inflammation of the testes. Could be due to trauma, bacterial or viral infections, mumps, or other etiologies

Testicular Cancer

Cancer of one or both testes. Most common type of cancer in men aged 15-35

Epididymitis

Infection/inflammation of the epididymis due to a UTI or STI(s)

Infertility

Inability to impregnate a person with a vagina after 1 of regular sexual intercourse. Can be caused by hormone imbalance, cryptorchidism, testicular damage, varicocele (varicose veins of the penis), etc

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign, gradual enlargement of the prostate gland. Normal occurrence as men age. Growth compresses the urethra

Prostatitis

Infection/inflammation of the prostate

Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate

Most common form of cancer in men. Slow growing so isn’t detected until later. Best treatment is a watch & wait approach

Epispadias

Congenital condition in when the urethral opening is on top of the penis

Hypospadias

Congenital condition in when the urethral opening is on the bottom of the penis

Chordee

Downward curvature of the penis during an erection. Foreskin could be causing this

Phimosis

Foreskin cannot be pulled back from the penis trapping sebaceous secretions and increasing the persons risk of infections in the area

Priapism

Abnormal, continuous erection of the penis

Named for the god of Male fertility in Roman Myth

Dyspareunia

Painful or difficult sexual intercourse or postcoital pain. Can be found in men and women

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Inability to achieve or sustain an erection. Can be caused by neurological conditions, lower testosterone, or other etiologies. AKA Impotence

STD/STIs

Usually passed during intercourse but can be passed maternally during vaginal birth (syphilis). Can be treated with Antibiotics or Antivirals.

Genital herpes: Caused by HSV type 2. Genitals blister, and are treated with topical or oral antivirals

Genital Warts: Caused by HPV. Causes itchy, flesh-colored lesions

Gonorrhea: Caused by a bacterium and treated with antibiotics

Syphilis: Caused by the Treponema Pallidum Bacterium. 3 stages (1: sores on genitals, 2: rash, 3: neurological syphilis). Treated with antibiotics

Named in different countries as their enemy. British called Syphilis the French Disease, The Russians called it the Polish disease, etc. Syphilis also causes tissue breakdown, especially in the bones & cartilage. No Nose parties were common in the 1800’s

Acid Phosphatase

Test that detects enzymes found in semen. Used in Rape Kit investigations to prove intercourse

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) testing

Identifies genital herpes that are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. Can be performed on Blood or Fluid from the skin lesions

Prostate Specific Antigen

Detects a specific protein found in the cells of the prostate. Levels increase in men with prostate cancer

Semen Analysis

Microscopic analysis of spermatozoa in a sample. Look at number, mobility, and morphology. Used in infertility or confirm success of a Vasectomy

Newborn Genital Examination

Babies’ external male genitalia are inspected to ensure the genitals have developed properly or descended fully

Digital-Rectal Examination (DRE)

Palpates the prostate gland using digits to check for tenderness, nodules, hardness, or enlargement, all of which are indicators of Prostate Cancer

Testicular Self-Examination (TSE)

Self-Examination that can help with early detection of Cancers of the Male Genitourinary system

Androgen Drug

Treats low Testosterone, can also be used to delay puberty or prostate cancer

Antiretroviral Drugs

Treat HIV & AIDS

Antibiotics & Antivirals

One is used to treat STI’s caused by Bacteria (Gonorrhea, Syphilis, etc), and the other is used to treat STI’s caused by viruses (Genital Warts & Herpes)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Drugs

Inhibits hormone that causes prostate enlargement. Can also relax smooth muscles to allow urine to flow more efficiently

Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Increases Blood flow to the penis to create an erection

Circumcision

Removes prepuce/foreskin of the penis. Can be due to religion, social, or health related reasons

Orchiectomy

Surgical removal of a testis

Orchiopexy

Procedure to reposition an undescended testis and fix it within the scrotum

Penile Implant

Implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis as a treatment for ED

Prostatectomy

Removal of the Prostate & related glands as part of treatment for prostate cancer

Vasectomy

Surgical removal of part of the vas deferens to prevent spermatozoa from entering the semen. Performed to prevent pregnancy in a person with a uterus. Can be reversed in a vasovasostomy

Obstetrics

Study of the female reproduction, pregnancy, and childbirth

Obstetr/o- pregnancy & childbirth

Gynecology

Study of the anatomy & physiology of the female genital system

Gynec/o- female; woman

Uterine Layers

From inner to outer:

Endometrium

Myometrium

Perimetrium

Ovarian Cancer

Cancerous tumor of the ovaries. Primarily asymptomatic until it is quite large and has metastasized

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Ovaries contain semisolid cysts where the follicles enlarge but do not release an ovum. Enlarged follicles become painful cysts that come to fill the ovaries

Salpingitis

Infection/inflammation of the uterine/fallopian tube

Salping/o= uterine/fallopian tube

Endometriosis

Development of endometrial tissue in the uterine tubes and pelvic cavity. Caused by the upward flow of sloughed off endometrium

Endometrial Cancer

Cancerous tumor of the endometrium. Earliest symptom is abnormal bleeding

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Infection that spreads from the cervix to the uterus, Uterine tubes, and ovaries. Often caused by STIs

Uterine Prolapse

Downward movement of the uterus due to ligament stretching or pelvic floor weakness. Often associated with childbirth & age

Cervical Dysplagia

Abnormal growth of squamous cells in the surface layer of the cervix. Precancerous condition associated with HPV

Cervical Cancer

Tumors of the cervix. Involves dysplasia, ulceration, and bleeding. HPV is a predisposing factor for this. If localized in one site, the carcinoma is referred to as in situ

Amenorrhea

Absence of a menstrual period due to hormone imbalance, stress, or disease

men/o=month

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation due to excess prostaglandin, endometriosis, and other disorders

Menorrhagia

Menstruation with excessive heavy flow of a period lasting more than 7 days. Caused by Endometriosis, Fibroids, or hormone imbalance

Oligomenorrhea

Very light or infrequent menstrual flow

Menopause

Cessation of menstrual flow in middle age. Ovulation stops and period ceases

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Symptoms before menstruation caused by hormone fluctuations. Symptoms include breast tenderness, fluid retention, bloating, and mood changes

Candidiasis

Yeast infection caused by Candida often during antibiotics regimen. There is itching and leukorrhea (white discharge)

Failure of Lactation

Lack of milk production after childbirth. Caused by a hyposecretion of prolactin

Breast Cancer

Cancerous adenocarcinoma of the lactiferous lobules. May cause swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, nipple discharge, and peau d’orange (orange peel look to the breast tissue)

Can be benign or cancerous. Presence of cysts on a mammogram can look precancerous

Mastitis

Inflammation/infection of the breast caused by milk engorgement or staph aureus infections

Morning Sickness

Temporary nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy due to elevated hormone levels (estradiol & progesterone). Isn’t always in the morning

Preeclampsia

Hypertensive disorder with increased blood pressure, edema, proteinuria; can progress to eclampsia with seizures

Ectopic Pregnancy

Pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum implants outside of the uterus, most often being the uterine tube

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Temporary disorder of glucose metabolism in pregnancy. Increased estradiol and progesterone block the action of insulin

Abnormal Presentation of Baby

Birth position in which the head is not presenting first. If baby is delivered this way can lead to injury or death

Breech= bottom to cervix

Transverse= lying horizontal across the uterus

Incompetent Cervix

Premature dilation of the cervix during the second trimester. Can result in miscarriage. Sometimes referred to as a weakened cervix

Fetal Distress

Decreased blood flow through the placenta or umbilical cord causes lack of oxygen.

Meconium Aspiration

Inhalation of meconium. Blocks the airway and causes respiratory distress in the Neonate

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin due to the livers inability to break down bilirubin. More common in babies born in higher elevation due to lack of oxygen in the air

Apnea

Temporary or Permanent cessation of breathing after birth. Can fix itself as the infants body grows & nerves develop

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)

Difficulty inflating the lungs due to a lack of surfactant

Gynecological Exam

Physical examination of the internal & external structures of the female genitalia. External exam includes looking for lesions, rashes, and unusual discharge. Internal exam includes a pap smear, palpation for tenderness or masses, and a visual examination with the help of a speculum

Colposcopy

Visual examination of the vagina & cervix with the use of a lighted instrument equipped with magnification

colp/o= vagina

Papanicolaou Test/ Pap Smear

Cytology test to detect dysplasia of the cervix. Cells are scraped from the cervix & placed on slides for microscopic examination

Cryosurgery

Destruction of small areas of abnormal tissue in the cervix using cold nitrogen

Dilation & Curettage (D&C)

Removal of abnormal tissue from inside the uterus using a curet that scrapes the endometrium to remove abnormal tissue

Endometrial Ablation

Destruction of the Endometrium using either heat or col

Hysterectomy

Removal of the uterus and other structures through the abdomen or vagina

Parts: partial, total, and radical

hyster/o=uterus

Oophorectomy

Removal of an ovary because of cysts or cancer

Tubal Ligation

Removal of a section of each uterine tube to prevent pregnancy; cut ends are cauterized. Harder if not impossible to reverse.

Amniocentesis

Test of the amniotic fluid to look for genetic abnormalities in the fetus(es)

Pregnancy Test

Blood or urine test looking for Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG)