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