Male Reproductive System Terms

Question 1

Bulbourethral Gland

Answer 1

Also called ‘Cowper’s gland’; these two small male reproductive system glands are located on either side of urethra just distal to prostate; secretion from these glands neutralizes acidity in urethra and vagina

Question 2

Circumcision

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Cowper’s Glands

Answer 3

Also called ‘bulbourethral glands’; these two small male reproductive system glands are located on either side of urethra just distal to prostate; secretion from these glands neutralizes acidity in urethra and vagina

Question 4

Ejaculation

Answer 4

Impulse of forcing seminal fluid from male urethra

Question 5

Epididymis

Answer 5

Coiled tubule that lies on top of testes within scrotum; this tube stores sperm as they are produced and turns into vas deferens

Question 6

Erectile Tissue

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Genitourinary System (GU)

Answer 7

Organs of the urinary system and female or male sexual organs

Question 8

Glans Penis

Answer 8

Larger and softer tip of penis; is protected by covering called prepuce or foreskin

Question 9

Penis

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Perineum

Answer 10

In male, external region between scrotum and anus; in female, external region between vagina and anus

Question 11

Prepuce

Answer 11

Also called ‘foreskin’; protective covering over glans penis; this covering of skin is removed during circumcision

Question 12

Prostate Gland

Answer 12

Gland in male reproductive system that produces fluids that nourish sperm

Question 13

Scrotum

Answer 13

Sac that serves as container for testes; sac, which is divided by septum, supports testicles and lies between legs and behind penis

Question 14

Semen

Answer 14

Semen contains sperm and fluids secreted by male reproductive system glands; leaves body through urethra

Question 15

Seminal Vesicles

Answer 15

Two male reproductive system glands located at base of bladder; secrete fluid that nourishes sperm into vas deferens; fluid plus sperm constitutes much of semen

Question 16

Seminiferous Tubules

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Sex Hormones

Answer 17

Hormones secreted by gonads and adrenal cortex; estrogen and progesterone in females and testosterone in males

Question 18

Sperm

Answer 18

Also called ‘spermatozoon’ (plural is ‘spermatozoa’); male sex cell; one sperm fuses with ovum to produce a new being

Question 19

Spermatic Cord

Answer 19

Term for cord-like collection of structures that include vas deferens, arteries, veins, nerves, and lymph vessels; spermatic cord suspends testes within scrotum

Question 20

Spermatogenesis

Answer 20

Formation of mature sperm

Question 21

Sphincter

Answer 21

Ring of muscle around tubular organ; can contract to control opening of tube

Question 22

Testes

Answer 22

Male gonads; oval glands located in scrotum that produce sperm and male hormone, testosterone

Question 23

Testicles

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Testosterone

Answer 24

Male hormone produced in testes; responsible for growth and development of male reproductive organs

Question 25

Urinary Meatus

Answer 25

External opening of urethra

Question 26

Vas Deferens

Answer 26

Also called ‘ductus deferens’;vas deferens is long, straight tube that carries sperm from epididymis up into pelvic cavity, where it continues around bladder and empties into urethra; one component, along with nerves and blood vessels, of spermatic cord