Key Terms Flashcards
androgen
Any hormone that produces male characteristics; root andr/o means “male”
bulbourethral gland
A small gland beside the urethra below the prostate that secretes part of the seminal fluid. Also called Cowper gland
circumcision
Surgical removal of the end of the prepuce (foreskin)
ductus deferens
The duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. Also called vas deferens
ejaculatory duct
The duct formed by union of the ductus deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle; it carries spermatozoa and seminal fluid into the urethra
epididymis
A coiled tube on the surface of the testis that stores sperm until ejaculation (root: epididym/o)
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the male, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells and promotes sperm cell development
gamete
A mature reproductive cell, the spermatozoon in the male and the ovum in the female
glans penis
The bulbous end of the penis
inguinal canal
The channel through which the testis descends into the scrotum in the male
interstitial cells
Cells located between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce hormones, mainly testosterone. Also called cells of Leydig (LI-dig).
luteinizing hormone (LH)
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads
meiosis
The type of cell division that forms the gametes; it results in cells with 23 chromosomes, half the number found in other body cells
prepuce
The fold of skin over the glans penis; the foreskin
prostate gland
A gland that surrounds the urethra below the bladder in males and contributes secretions to the semen (root: prostat/o)
seminal vesicle
A sac-like gland behind the bladder that contributes secretions to the semen (root: vesicul/o)
Sertoli cell
Cell in a seminiferous tubule that aids in the development of spermatozoa; sustentacular (sus-ten-TAK-u-lar) cell
spermatic cord
Cord attached to the testis that contains the ductus deferens, blood vessels, and nerves enclosed within a fibrous sheath
vas deferens
The duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate;
cryptorchidism
Failure of the testis to descend into the scrotum
epididymitis
Inflammation of the epididymis. Common causes are UTIs and STIs
inguinal hernia
Protrusion of the intestine or other abdominal organ through the inguinal canal or through the wall of the abdomen into the scrotum
orchitis
Inflammation of a testis.
prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland.
urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra
herniorrhaphy
Surgical repair of a hernia
prostatectomy
Surgical removal of the prostate
vasectomy
Excision of the vas deferens.
emission
The discharge of semen
balanitis
Inflammation of the glans penis and mucous membrane beneath it (root balan/o means “glans penis”)
bladder neck obstruction (BNO)
Blockage of urine flow at the outlet of the bladder.
hydrocele
The accumulation of fluid in a sac-like cavity, especially within the covering of the testis or spermatic cord
phimosis
Narrowing of the prepuce’s opening so that the foreskin cannot be pushed back over the glans penis
priapism
Abnormal, painful, continuous erection of the penis, as may be caused by drugs or specific damage to the spinal cord
seminoma
A tumor of the testis
spermatocele
An epididymal cyst containing spermatozoa
varicocele
Enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord
brachytherapy
Radiation therapy by placement of encapsulated radiation sources, such as seeds, directly into a tumor or nearby tissue (from Greek brachy-, meaning “short”)
Gleason tumor grade
A system for assessing the severity of cancerous changes in the prostate; reported as a Gleason score
resectoscope
Endoscopic instrument for transurethral removal of tissue from the bladder, prostate, uterus, or urethra
Whitmore–Jewett staging
A method for staging prostatic tumors; and alternate to TNM staging
