Chapter 10 Male Reproductive System

prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

A blood test to screen for prostate cancer. Elevated blood levels of PSA are associated with prostate cancer.

androgen

A class of steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex. These hormones, such as testosterone, produce a masculinizing effect.

prostate gland

A gland in the male reproductive system that produces fluids that neutralize acids in urethra and vagina

priapism

A persistent and painful erection due to pathological causes, not sexual arousal.

scrotum

A sac that serves as a container for the testes. This sac, which is divided by a septum, supports the testicles and lies between the legs and behind the penis.

testicular torsion

A twisting of the spermatic cord.

hydrocele

Accumulation of fluid within the testes.

bulbourethral gland

Also called Cowper's gland. These two small male reproductive system glands are located on either side of the urethra just distal to the prostate. The secretion from these glands neutralizes the acidity in the urethra and the vagina.

Cowper's gland

Also called bulbourethral gland. These two small male reproductive system glands are located on either side of the urethra just distal to the prostate. The secretion from these glands neutralizes the acidity in the urethra and the vagina.

vas deferens

Also called ductus deferens. The vas deferens is a long straight tube that carries sperm from the epididymis up into the pelvic cavity, where it continues around the bladder and empties into the urethra. It is one of the components, along with nerves and blood vessels, of the spermatic cord.

sperm

Also called spermatozoon (plural is spermatozoa). The male sex cell. One sperm fuses with the ova to produce a new being.

testicles

Also called testes (singular is testis). These oval-shaped organs are responsible for the development of sperm within the seminiferous tubules. The testes must be maintained at the proper temperature for the sperm to survive. This lower temperature level is controlled by the placement of the scrotum outside the body. The hormone testosterone, which is responsible for the growth and development of the male reproductive organs, is also produced by the tests.

prepuce

Also called the foreskin. A protective covering over the glans penis. It is this covering

laparoscopy

An instrument or scope is passed into the abdominal wall through a small incision. The abdominal cavity is then examined for tumors and other conditions with this lighted instrument. Also called peritoneoscopy.

puberty

Beginning of menstruation and the ability to reproduce. Usually occurs around 16 years of age.

testicular carcinoma

Cancer of one or both testicles.

oligospermia

Condition of having few sperm.

anorchism

Congenital absence of one or both testes.

atresia

Congenital lack of a normal body opening.

hypospadias

Congenital opening of the male urethra on the underside of the penis.

epispadias

Congenital opening of the urethra on the dorsal surface of the penis.

vasovasostomy

Creation of a new opening between two sections of vas deferens. Used to reverse a vasectomy.

genital herpes

Creeping skin disease that can appear like a blister or vesicle, caused by a sexually transmitted virus.

spermatolysis

Destruction of sperm.

cauterization

Destruction of tissue using an electric current, a caustic product, or a hot iron, or by freezing.

balanorrhea

Discharge from the glans penis.

sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Disease usually acquired as the result of sexual intercourse; formerly more commonly referred to as venereal disease.

benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

Enlargement of the prostate gland commonly seen in males over 50.

varicocele

Enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord, which commonly occurs on the left side of adolescent males. Seldom needs treatment.

genetic counseling

Evaluation of parents' potential for producing a child with a genetic disease; especially important for families with a history of genetic diseases.

orchidectomy

Excision of the testes.

castration

Excision of the testicles in the male or the ovaries in the female.

cryosurgery

Exposing tissues to extreme cold in order to destroy them. Used in treating malignant tumors, and to control pain and bleeding.

cryptorchidism

Failure of the testes to descend into the scrotal sac before birth. Generally, the testes will descend before the boy is one year old. A surgical procedure called orchidopexy may be required to bring the testes down into the scrotum permanently. Failure of the testes to descend could result in sterility in the male.

spermatogenesis

Formation of mature sperm.

trichomoniasis

Genitourinary infection that is usually without symptoms (asymptomatic) in both males and females. In women the disease can produce itching and/or burning and a foul-smelling discharge, and can result in vaginitis.

genital warts

Growths and elevations of warts on the genitalia of both males and females that can lead to cancer of the cervix in females.

chancroid

Highly infectious nonsyphilitic venereal ulcer.

impotence

Inability to copulate due to inability to maintain an erection; also called erectile dysfunction.

erectile dysfunction (ED)

Inability to copulate due to inability to maintain an erection; also called impotence.

sterility

Inability to father children due to a problem with spermatogenesis.

laparotomy

Incision into the abdomen.

orchiotomy

Incision into the testes.

syphilis

Infectious, chronic, venereal disease that can involve any organ. May exist for years without symptoms. Treated with the antibiotic penicillin.

prostatitis

Inflamed condition of the prostate gland that may be a result of an infection.

epididymitis

Inflammation of the epididymis that causes pain and swelling in the inguinal area.

balanitis

Inflammation of the skin covering the glans penis.

laparoscope

Instrument to view inside the abdomen.

aspermia

Lack of, or failure to ejaculate, sperm.

andropathy

Male disease.

testosterone

Male hormone produced in the testes. It is responsible for the growth and development of the male reproductive organs.

digital rectal exam (DRE)

Manual examination for an enlarged prostate gland performed by palpating (feeling)the prostate gland through the wall of the rectum.

erectile dysfunction agents

Medication that temporarily produces an erection in patients with erectile dysfunction.

abortifacient

Medication that terminates a pregnancy.

antiprostatic agents

Medications to treat early cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy; may prevent surgery for mild cases.

phimosis

Narrowing of the foreskin over the glans penis that results in difficulty with hygiene. This condition can lead to infection or difficulty with urination. It is treated with circumcision, the surgical removal of the foreskin.

seminiferous tubules

Network of coiled tubes that make up the bulk of the testes. Sperm development takes place in the walls of the tubules and the mature sperm are released into the tubule in order to leave the testes.

dyspareunia

Painful sexual intercourse.

chlamydia

Parasitic microorganism causing genital infections in males and females; can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in females and eventual infertility.

spermatic

Pertaining to sperm.

epididymal

Pertaining to the epididymis.

prostatic

Pertaining to the prostate gland.

testicular

Pertaining to the testes.

barrier contraception

Prevention of a pregnancy using a device to prevent sperm from meeting an ovum; examples include condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps.

sterilization

Process of rendering a male or female sterile or unable to conceive children.

genitourinary system

Referring to the organs of the urinary system and the female or male sexual organs.

vasectomy

Removal of a segment or all of the vas deferens to prevent sperm from leaving the male body. Used for contraception purposes.

androgen therapy

Replacement male hormones to treat patients who produce insufficient hormone naturally.

semen

Semen contains sperm and fluids secreted by male reproductive system glands. It leaves the body through the urethra.

gonorrhea

Sexually transmitted inflammation of the mucous membranes of either sex. Can be passed on to an infant during the birth process.

prostate cancer

Slow-growing cancer that affects a large number of males after age fifty. The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is used to assist in early detection of this disease.

spermatocide

Substances that kill sperm.

epididymectomy

Surgical excision of the epididymis.

orchidopexy

Surgical fixation to move undescended testes into the scrotum and attaching to prevent retraction.

circumcision

Surgical removal of the end of the prepuce or foreskin of the penis. Generally performed on the newborn male at the request of the parents. The primary reason is for ease of hygiene. Circumcision is also a ritual practice in some religions.

prostatectomy

Surgical removal of the prostate gland

transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR)

Surgical removal of the prostate gland by inserting a device through the urethra and removing prostate tissue.

orchiectomy

Surgical removal of the testes.

balanoplasty

Surgical repair of the glans penis.

orchioplasty

Surgical repair of the testes.

epididymis

The epididymis is a coiled tubule that lies on top of the tests within the scrotum. This tube stores sperm as they are produced and turns into the vas deferens.

urinary meatus

The external opening of the urethra.

ejaculation

The impulse of forcing seminal fluid from the male urethra.

glans penis

The larger and softer tip of the penis. It is protected by a covering called the prepuce or foreskin.

genitalia

The male and female reproductive organs.

testes

The male gonads. The testes are oval glands located in the scrotum that produce sperm and the male hormone, testosterone.

penis

The penis is the male sex organ. It is composed of erectile tissue that becomes erect during sexual stimulation, allowing it to be placed within the female vagina for ejaculation of semen. The larger, soft tip is referred to as the glans penis.

spermatic cord

The term for the cord-like collection of structures that include the vas deferens, arteries, veins, nerves, and lymph vessels. The spermatic cord suspends the tests within the scrotum.

semen analysis

This procedure is used when performing a fertility workup to determine if the male is able to produce sperm. Semen is collected by the patient after abstaining from sexual intercourse for a period of three to five days. The sperm in the semen are analyzed for number, swimming strength, and shape. This is also used to determine if a vasectomy has been successful. After a period of six weeks, no sperm should be present in a sample from the patient.

erectile tissue

Tissue with numerous blood vessels and nerve endings. It becomes filled with blood and enlarges in size in response to sexual stimulation.

seminal vesicles

Two male reproductive system glands located at the base of the bladder. They secrete a fluid that nourishes the sperm into the vas deferens. This fluid plus the sperm constitutes much of the semen.

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Virus that causes AIDS; also known as a retrovirus.

condyloma

Wart-like growth on the external genitalia.