The Male Reproductive System: Key Terms

Question 1

bulbourethral gland

Answer 1

a small gland beside the urethra below the prostate that secretes part of the seminal fluid; aka Cowper gland

Question 2

circumcision

Answer 2

surgical removal of the end of the prepuce (foreskin)

Question 3

coitus

Answer 3

sexual intercourse

Question 4

ductus deferens

Answer 4

the duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. Aka vas deferens

Question 5

ejaculation

Answer 5

ejection of semen from the male urethra

Question 6

ejaculatory duct

Answer 6

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

Question 7

epididymis

Answer 7

a coiled tube on the surface of the testis that store sperm until ejaculation

Question 8

erection

Answer 8

the stiffening and hardening of the penis or the clitoris, usually because of sexual excitement

Question 9

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 9

a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads (sex glands). In males, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells and promotes sperm cell development

Question 10

gamete

Answer 10

a mature reproductive cell, the spermatozoon in the male and the ovum in the female

Question 11

glans penis

Answer 11

the bulbous end of the penis

Question 12

gonad

Answer 12

a sex gland; testis or ovary

Question 13

inguinal canal

Answer 13

the channel through which the testis descends into the scrotum in the male

Question 14

interstitial cells

Answer 14

cells located between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produces hormones, mainly testosterone. Aka cells of Leydig

Question 15

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer 15

a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In males, it stimulates interstitial cells to produce testosterone.

Question 16

meiosis

Answer 16

the type of cell division that forms the gametes; it results in cells with 23 chromosomes, half the number found in other body cells

Question 17

penis

Answer 17

the male organ of copulation an urination

Question 18

pituitary gland

Answer 18

an endocrine gland at the base of the brain

Question 19

prepuce

Answer 19

the fold of skin over the glans penis; the foreskin

Question 20

prostate gland

Answer 20

a gland that surrounds the urethra below the bladder in males and contributes secretions to the semen

Question 21

puberty

Answer 21

period during which the ability for sexual reproduction is attained and secondary sex characteristics begin to develop

Question 22

scrotum

Answer 22

a double pouch that contains the testes

Question 23

semen

Answer 23

the thick secretion that transports spermatozoa

Question 24

seminal vesicle

Answer 24

a sac-like gland behind the bladder that contributes secretions to the semen

Question 25

Sertoli cell

Answer 25

cell in a seminiferous tubule that aids in the development of the spermatozoa; sustentacular

Question 26

spermatic cord

Answer 26

cord attached to the testis that contains the ductus deferens, blood vessels, and nerves enclosed within a fibrous sheath

Question 27

spermatozoon

Answer 27

mature male sex cell

Question 28

testis

Answer 28

the male reproductive gland; testes (plural), aka testicle

Question 29

testosterone

Answer 29

the main male sex hormone

Question 30

urethra

Answer 30

the ducts that carries urine out of the body and also transports semen in the male

Question 31

vas deferens

Answer 31

the duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. Aka ductus deferens

Question 32

androgen

Answer 32

any hormone that produces male characteristics

Question 33

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Answer 33

nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate; frequently develops with age; also called benign prostatic hypertrophy

Question 34

cryptorchidism

Answer 34

failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum

Question 35

epididymitis

Answer 35

inflammation of the epididymis. Common causes are UTIs and STIs

Question 36

erectile dysfunction

Answer 36

male inability to perform intercourse because of the failure to initiate or maintain an erection until ejaculation; impotence

Question 37

impotence

Answer 37

erectile dysfunction

Question 38

infertility

Answer 38

decreased capacity to produce offspring

Question 39

inguinal hernia

Answer 39

protrusion of the intestine or other abdominal organ through the inguinal canal or through the wall of the abdomen into the scrotum

Question 40

orchitis

Answer 40

inflammation of the testis. May be caused by injury, mumps virus, or other infections.

Question 41

prostatitis

Answer 41

inflammation of the prostate gland. Often appears with UTI, STI and a variety of other stresses.

Question 42

sexually transmitted infections (STI)

Answer 42

infection spread through sexual activity; aka STD and formerly venereal disease

Question 43

sterility

Answer 43

complete inability to produce offspring

Question 44

urethritis

Answer 44

inflammation of the urethra; often caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia infections

Question 45

herniorrhaphy

Answer 45

surgical repair of a hernia

Question 46

prostatectomy

Answer 46

surgical removal of the prostate

Question 47

vasectomy

Answer 47

excision of the vas deferens. Usually done bilaterally to produce sterility. May be accomplished through the urethra (transurethral resection).