Chapter 7: Male Reproductive System

testis

primary male sex organ, paired, oval-shaped, and enclosed in a sac called the scrotum

seminiferous tubules

approximately 900 coiled tubes within the testes in which spermatogenesis occurs

sperm

the microscopic male germ cell, which, when united with the ovum, produces a zygote (fertilized egg) that with subsequent development becomes an embryo

testosterone

the principal male sex hormone. Its chief function is to stimulate the development of the male reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair.

epididymis

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

vas deferens

duct (tube) carrying the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra

spermatic cord

encloses each vas deferens with nerves, lymphatics, arteries, and veins.

seminal vesicles

two accessory glands located posterior to the base of the bladder that open into the vas deferens. The glands secrete a thick fluid that forms part of the semen.

prostate gland

walnut-shaped gland that encircles the proximal section of the urethra. The prostate gland secretes a fluid that aids in the movement of the sperm and ejaculation.

semen

composed of sperm, seminal fluids, and other secretions

scrotum

sac containing the testes and their corresponding epididymides, from which each vas deferens begins. The scrotum is suspended on both sides of and 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 of the penis)

genitalia

reproductive organs (male or female); includes internal and external reproductive organs

gonads

primary reproductive organs; testes in males, ovaries in females

male

andr/o

glans penis

balan/o

epididymis

epididym/o

testis, testicle

orch/o

testis, testicle

orchi/o

testis, testicle

orchid/o

prostate gland

prostat/o

sperm, spermatozoon

sperm/o

sperm, spermatozoon

spermat/o

vessel, duct

vas/o

seminal vesicle

vesicul/o

bladder, sac

cyst/o

hidden

crypt/o

stone, calculus

lith/o

scanty, few

olig/o

absence of, without

a-

absence of, without

-an

above, excessive

hyper-

pain

-algia

excision, surgical removal

-ectomy

diseased or abnormal state, condition of

-ia

pertaining to

-ic

state of

-ism

inflammation

-itis

stone, calculus

-lith

cut into, incision

-tomy

surgical fixation

-pexy

disease

-pathy

condition of formation, development, growth

-plasia

surgical repair

-plasty

flow, discharge

-rrhea

creation of an artificial opening

-stomy

andropathy

disease of the male

anorchism

state of absence of testis

balanitis

inflammation of the glans penis

balanorrhea

discharge from the glans penis

benign prostatic hyperplasia

excessive development pertaining to the prostate gland

cryptorchidism

state of hidden testis

epididymitis

inflammation of the epididymis

orchiepididymitis

inflammation of the testis and the epididymis

orchitis

inflammation of the testis

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

erectile dysfunction

the inability of the male to attain or maintain an erection sufficient to perform sexual intercourse

hydrocele

fluid-filled sac around the testicle; causes scrotal swelling

infertility

reduced or absent ability to achieve pregnancy; generally defined after one year of frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse; may relate to male or female

phimosis

tightness of the prepuce (foreskin of the penis) that prevents its retraction over the glans penis; it may be congenital or a result of balanitis. Circumcision is the usual treatment.

priapism

persistent abnormal erection of the penis accompanied by pain and tenderness

prostate cancer

cancer of the prostate gland, usually occurring in men middle-aged and older

spermatocele

distention of the epididymis containing an abnormal cyst-like collection of fluid and sperm cells; may cause scrotal swelling

testicular cancer

cancer of the testicle, usually occurring in men 15 to 35 years of age

testicular torsion

twisting of the spermatic cord causing decreased blood flow to the testis; occurs most often during puberty and often presents with a sudden onset of severe testicular or scrotal pain. Because of lack of blood flow to the testis, it is considered a surgical emergency.

varicocele

enlarged veins of the spermatic cord; may cause scrotal swelling

balanoplasty

surgical repair of the glans penis

epididymectomy

excision of the epididymis

orchiectomy

excision of the testis

orchiopexy

surgical fixation of the testicle

orchioplasty

surgical repair of the testis

orchiotomy

incision into the testis

prostatectomy

excision of the prostate gland

prostatocystotomy

incision into the prostate gland and the (urinary) bladder

prostatolithotomy

incision into the prostate gland to remove stone(s)

prostatovesiculectomy

excision of the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles

vasectomy

excision of a duct (partial excision of the vas deferens bilaterally, resulting in male sterilization)

vasovasostomy

creation of artificial openings between ducts (the severed ends of the vas deferens are reconnected in an attempt to restore fertility in men who have had a vasectomy)

vesiculectomy

excision of the seminal vesicle(s)

ablation

destruction of abnormal or excessive tissue by melting, vaporizing, or eroding

circumcision

surgical removal of the prepuce (foreskin); all or part of the foreskin may be removed

enucleation

excision of a whole organ or mass without cutting into it

hydrocelectomy

surgical removal of a fluid-filled sac around the testicle causing scrotal swelling (hydrocele)

laser surgery

use of a focused beam of light to excise or vaporize abnormal tissue and to control bleeding; uses a variety of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures.

morcellation

cutting or grinding solid tissue into smaller pieces for removal

robotic surgery

use of small surgical instruments attached to a computer and operated by the surgeon from a console several feet from the operating table

sterilization

surgical procedure that prevents pregnancy, either the ability of the female to conceive or of the male to induce conception

transurethral incision of the prostate gland

urgical procedure that widens the urethra by making a few small incisions in the bladder neck and the prostate gland. No prostate tissue is removed.

transurethral resection of the prostate gland

surgical removal of pieces of the prostate gland tissue by using an instrument inserted through the urethra. The capsule is left intact; usually performed when the enlarged prostate gland interferes with urination.

MRI ultrasound fusion biopsy

combination of magnetic resonance imaging with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) to obtain a tissue from a prostate lesion. Software merges an existing MR image with live ultrasound images. The combined, or fused, MRI-TRUS image is used to direct the biopsy needle into the area of the prostate that looks suspicious on MRI.

multiparametric MRI

magnetic resonance imaging procedure providing information of anatomic structure and physiology for the staging of prostate cancer. It uses a combination of different MRI modalities to better understand the size and extent of prostate tumors.

transrectal ultrasound

ultrasound procedure used to diagnose prostate cancer. Sound waves are sent and received by a transducer probe that is placed into the rectum.

prostate-specific antigen

blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Elevated test results may indicate the presence of prostate cancer, urinary or prostatic infection, or excess prostate tissue, as found in benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis.

semen analysis

microscopic observation of ejaculated semen, revealing the size, structure, and movement of sperm; used to evaluate male infertility and to determine the effectiveness of a vasectomy