unit 13 (male reproductive) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
ablation
the removal or destruction of a body part; sometimes used to treat conditions such as prostate cancer; may involve surgery, chemical destruction, electrocautery, extreme cold, or radiation
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
an infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); interferes with the immune system, decreasing the body’s ability to fight infection
anorchia
the congenital absence of one or both testes; can interfere with sperm production and secretion of testosterone; also called anorchism
antibiotics
drugs used to fight or prevent bacterial infections
azoospermia
the absence of sperm in the semen, leading to infertility
balanitis
inflammation of the glans penis characterized by redness, pain, and unusual penile discharge; often associated with phimosis
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
an abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland; characterized by frequent or difficult urination; also called prostatomegaly or benign prostatic hypertrophy
chlamydia
a common bacterial infection that often does not cause symptoms. When symptoms are present, they may include pain in the genital area and discharge from the penis (or the vagina in a female)
cholesterol level
a test in which blood is measured to determine the level of cholesterol in a patient’s blood; high cholesterol levels are a risk factor for erectile dysfunction
circumcision
a process during which the foreskin is removed from the penis
circumcision
the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis; reduces the risks of STIs, penile cancers, and urinary tract infections; is generally performed a few days after birth
conception
the fertilization of the ovum by a sperm
cryosurgery
a surgical procedure in which infected or abnormal cells or tissues are frozen in order to destroy or remove them
cryptorchidism
a developmental defect in which one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum; if left untreated, may increase risks for testicular cancer and infertility
culture and sensitivity (C&S)
a bacterial culture performed to isolate and identify bacteria that may be causing various infections, particularly STIs such as gonorrhea
digital rectal examination (DRE)
a procedure in which a physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum, which lies next to the prostate, to check the prostate for enlargement
ejaculation
the process of expelling semen from the penis
electrocautery
the destruction or burning of tissue using an electric current to pass heat through the tissue; is often considered the method of choice for performing vasectomies
epididymis
a large tube that supports the testis
epididymitis
inflammation of the epididymis; characterized by testalgia, hematuria, an inflamed scrotum, dysuria, and unusual penile discharge
erectile dysfunction
the inability of a male to achieve or maintain a penile erection; also called impotence
erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs
drugs that increase the flow of blood into the penis so that, when a man is sexually stimulated, he can achieve an erection
erection
the process during which the penis becomes enlarged and stiff
fasting blood sugar (FBE)
a blood test used to measure the glucose levels in a patient’s blood; abnormal levels affect blood circulation to the penis
flagellum
a tail that is present on sperm
fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test
a syphilis blood test that involves the use of antibodies specific to the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which causes the disease
gametes
sex cells have half the chromosomes that other body cells have
genital warts
warts on the shaft of the penis; caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV
glans penis
the soft, sensitive area at the distal end of the penis
gonads
glands that are responsible for producing gametes
gonorrhea
a bacterial infection of the genital tract, causing dysuria and pyorrhea. Infection may spread to other body parts, such as the eye, oral mucosa, rectum, and joints
gynecomastia
condition of abnormal breast enlargement in a male
herpes genitalis
infection of the skin and mucosa of the genitals; caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV); characterized by small, fluid-filled blisters and ulcers
hormone therapy
the use of supplemental hormones to treat a hormone deficiency
hydrocele
the condition of a fluid-filled sac in or around a testis; characterized by swelling of the scrotum or testes
infertility
a condition in which a couple is unable to achieve pregnancy after a year or more of unprotected sexual intercourse; may be due to a number of reproductive diseases or conditions in males or females
luteinizing hormone (LH)
a hormone that stimulates the testes to produce testosterone
oligospermia
the condition of an abnormally low number of sperm in the semen; can affect fertility
oncologist
a physician who specializes in patients who have been diagnosed with cancer
orchiectomy
the surgical removal of one or both testes; also known as castration
orchiopexy
a surgical procedure used to move an undescended testis into the scrotum
penis
an organ composed of spongy erectile tissue that becomes engorged with blood when a male is aroused; contains the male urethra, which is responsible for carrying urine and semen out of the body
pharmacist
a healthcare professional who focuses on safe and effective medication use
phimosis
a condition in which the opening of the foreskin of the penis is so narrow that it cannot be retracted to expose the glans penis; can lead to inflammation and cancer
prostate biopsy
the removal of a tissue sample of the prostate for testing; used to diagnose prostate cancer and other prostate abnormalities
prostate cancer
a malignant tumor of the prostate; characterized by dysuria, pain, and blood in the semen; one of the most common cancers in men over the age of 50
prostate gland
a gland that surrounds the upper end of the urethra and secretes a thick fluid that lowers the acidity of semen
prostate ultrasound
a test in which sound waves are used to help identify conditions such as prostate enlargement and testicular torsion
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay
a test to determine the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood
prostatectomy
the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland; is often done to remove cancer
prostatitis
inflammation of the prostate; characterized by dysuria, polyuria, and pelvic pain
prostatorrhea
a condition in which an abnormal flow of prostatic fluid is discharged through the urethra
puberty
the period during which levels of sex hormones increase and primary and secondary sexual characteristics develop
radiation therapy
the use of radiation to fight cancer in the body; is often used for cancers of the male reproductive system
radical prostatectomy
the surgical removal of the entire prostate gland, as well as the seminal vesicles and part of the surrounding tissue
rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
a syphilis blood test that is commonly used to screen pregnant females for syphilis; is also used to monitor a patient’s reaction to syphilis treatment
scrotum
a sac-like pouch of skin that hangs between the male’s thighs and encloses, protects, and supports the testes
semen
the sperm-containing that is expelled from the penis during sexual intercourse
semen analysis
a microscopic examination of the semen performed as part of a fertility study or to confirm the result of a vasectomy; is performed on freshly ejaculated semen to determine the volume of semen and the number, shape, size, and motility of the sperm
seminal vesicles
two glands located at the base of the male urinary bladder
seminiferous tubules
a dense network of small tubes within each testis in which sperm forms
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
infections transmitted through sexual intervourse or other genital contact; also called venereal disease (VD)
sperm
the male sex cells
spermatic cord
a tube that carries the sperm toward the pelvic region and the ejaculatory duct
spermatogenesis
sperm development
surgical technician
a healthcare worker who assists physicians and nurses in the operating room; also known as a scrub tech or operating room technician
syphilis
a chronic bacterial infection that can affect any organ in the body, and which goes through four phases: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, latent syphilis, and late syphilis
testes
the male gonads; also known as testicles
testicular cancer
cancer involving one or both testes; is most commonly found in men between the ages of 15 and 40
testicular self-examination (TSE)
an examination performed by the patient, usually monthly, as a screening procedure for testicular cancer
testicular torsion
a twisting of the spermatic cord, which can cut off the blood supply to the testes; occurs suddenly and is a true emergency requiring surgery
testitis
inflammation of one or both testes; characterized by pain or swelling in the testes; also called orchitis
testosterone
a hormone responsible for the male secondary sex characteristics
testosterone level
a blood test performed to measure levels of testosterone
thyroid function test (TFT)
a panel of tests used to determine how well the thyroid is functioning
transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS)
a procedure in which a needle is inserted through the wall of the rectum into the prostate to obtain a tissue sample for testing; is the most common prostate biopsy method
transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)
a procedure in which needles are used to direct radio waves into the prostate to cause scar tissue, which shrinks the prostate gland; is used when an enlarged prostate causes urinary symptoms; also called radiofrequency (RF) ablation therapy
transurethral prostate biopsy
a prostate biopsy in which a cystoscope is threaded through the urethra to the level of the prostate
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
the removal of all or part of the prostate through the urethra; is often used to treat BP and other conditions that cause an enlarged prostate
trichomoniasis
an infection caused by a parasite; in males, it may not cause any symptoms, but when symptoms are present, they may include a penile discharge and pain
varicocele
a varicose vein in the spermatic cord; may result in a lump or mass in the scrotum; also may cause infertility
varicocelectomy
the removal of a portion of an enlarged vein to relieve a varicocele
vas deferens
the secretory duct of the testis, which extends from the epididymis and joins with the excretory duct of the seminal gland; also known as the ductus deferens
vasectomy
the surgical procedure in which a portion of the vas deferens is removed and the free ends are folded and ligated, or tied, resulting in sterilization, or the permanent inability to conceive children
vasovasostomy
a surgical procedure in which the vas deferens that were cut during a vasectomy are restored
venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL)
an older, but still commonly used, blood test that screens for syphilis
