Mens bodies terms Flashcards
the looses skin that partially or completely covers the glans in males who have not been circumsised
foreskin
an unusual form of male circumcision in which the upper part of the foreskin is incised but not removed
superincision
a form of male circumcision in which a cut is made along the underside of the penis, exposing the urethra
subincision
either of two elongated erectile structures within the penis or clitoris, which also extend backward into the pelvic floor
corpus carvernosum (pl. corpora cavernosa)
a single mid-line erectile structure. In both sexes it fills the glans; in males it extends backward along the underside of the penis, surrounding the urethra
corpus spongliosum
a fibrous capsule surrounding the corpora cavernosa
tunica albuginea
the terminal knob of the clitoris or penis
glans
a ligament that connects the root of the penis to the pubic symphysis
suspensory ligament
an expansion on the corpus spongiosum at the root of the penis
penile bulb
one of the muscles that attaches to the internal portions of the penis and clitoris. it assists with erection and (in men) ejaculation
ischiocavernosus muscle
a muscle that attaches to the base of the penis or clitoris and assists with erection and (in men) ejaculation. in women, the internal portion of the muscle surrounds the introitus
bulbospongiosus muscle
the opening at the tip of the penis (in males) or in front of the vagina (in females)
urethral meatus
a tough sheet of sheath of connective tissue
fascia
the rim of the glans of the penis
corona
a strip of loose skin on the underside of the penis, running between the glans and shaft
frenulum
inflammation of the glans of the penis
balantis
a tightening of the foreskin, preventing its retraction from the glans
phimosis
entrapment of the retracted foreskin behind the corona
paraphimosis
pathological curvature of the penis
peyronie’s disease
the sac behind the penis that contains the testicles
scrotum
a sheet of smooth muscle underlying the skin of the scrotum, which when contracted causes the skin to become thick and wrinkled
dartos
a male gamete, produced in the testis
sperm
the male gonad: one of the two glands within the scrotum that produce sperm and secrete sex steriods
testicle or testis
the fluid, containing sperm and variety of chemical compounds, that is ejaculated from the penis at male sexual climax
semen
a structure, attached to each testis, through which sperm must pass before entering the vas deferns
epididymis (pl. epididymides)
either of two bilateral bundles of structures, including the vas deferens, blood vessels, and the cremaster muscle, that pass through the inguinal canal to the testis
spermatic cord
a short canal passing through the abdominal wall in the region of the groin in males
inguinal canal
a striated muscle that wraps around the spermatic cord and the testis
cremaster muscle
either of the two bilateral ducts that convey sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
vas deferens (pl. vasa defererntia)
convoluted microscopic tubes within the testis; the site of spermatogenesis
seminiferous tubules
the production of sperm
spermatogenesis
a type of cell within the seminiferous tubules that nurtures developing sperm and secretes hormones.
sertoli cells
cell located between the seminiferous tubules in the testis that secrete steroids. also called interstitial cells
leydig cells
a network of spaces between the testis and epididymis, through which sperm must pass
rete testis
either of the two bilateral ducts formed by the junction of the vas deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle. The ejaculatory ducts empty into the urethra within the prostate
ejaculatory duct
a single gland at the base of the bladder, surrounding the urethra; its secretions are a component of semen
prostate gland
two glands situated to either side of the prostate; their secretions are a component of semen
seminal vesicles
two small glands near the roots of the penis whose secretion (pre-cum) may appear at the urethral opening during sexual arousal prior to ejaculation. also known as copper’s glands.
bulbourethral glands
a whiplike fiber, extending from a spermatozoon or other cell, that confers motility.
flagellum
inflammation of the prostate gland; may be acute or chronic
prostatitis
an alternative, more inclusive term from chronic prostatitis
chronic pelvic pain syndrome
noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland
benign prostatic hyperplasia
cancer of the prostate gland
prostate cancer
an enzyme secreted by the prostate gland; its presence at high levels in the blood is suggestive of, but not diagnostic of, prostate cancer
prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
surgical removal of the entire prostate gland and local lymph nodes
radical prostatectomy
a structure at the front of a sperm that contains enzymes and receptors required for penetration of the zona pellucida of an ovum
acrosome
the portion of the tail of sperm that is closest to the head, containing mitochondria
midpiece
the noncelluar constituents of semen
seminal plasma
a simple sugar (monosaccharide) present in semen
fructose
a protein secreted by the seminal vesicles that coagulates after ejaculation
semenogelin
a reflex mediated by neurons in the spinal cord, requiring no participation by the brain
spinal reflex
specialized nerve endings, found in the genital area, that probably detect the tactile stimulation associated with sexual activity
genital end-bulbs
peripheral nerves supplying the external genitalia
pudendal nerves
nerves that convey parasympathetic signals from lower spinal cord to the genitalia and other organs
pelvic nerves
a vascular space, such as within erectile tissue, capable of being expanded by filling with blood
sinusoids
connective tissue partitions separating the sinusoids of erectile tissue
trabeculae
a dissolved gas that functions as a neurotransmitter in erectile tissue
nitric oxide
a sexually dimorphic group of motor neurons in the sacral segments of the spinal cord that innervates striated muscles associated with the penis and clitoris
Onuf’s nucleus
an anatomical difference between the sexes
sexual dimorphism
orgasm during sleep
nocturnal orgasm
a nerve center in the pons that helps regulate the state of consciousness
locus coeruleus
the loading of the constituents of semen into posterior urethra immediately before ejaculation
emission
