Male Reproductive System
Testis: Male gonad (testicle) that produces spermatozoa and the hormone testosterone.
Scrotum: external sac that contains testes.
Perineum: external region between the anus and scrotum in the male.
Seminiferous tubules: Narrow, coiled tubules that produce sperm in the testes.
Epididymis: one of a pair of long, tightly coiled tubes above each testis. It stores and carries
sperm from seminiferous tubules to the vas deferens.
Vas deferens: Narrow tube (one on each side) carrying sperm from the epididymis toward
the urethra. Also called ductus deferens.
Seminal vesicles: Paired sac-like exocrine glands that secrete fluid into the vas deferens.
Ejaculatory duct: Tube through which semen enters the male urethra.
Prostate gland: exocrine gland at the base of the male urinary bladder. The prostate secretes
one of the fluid pars of semen into the urethra during ejaculation.
Bulbourethral Glands: pair of exocrine glands near the male urethra. They secrete fluid into
the urethra. Also called Cowper glands.
Penis: male external organ of reproduction.
Glans Penis: sensitive tip of the penis; comparable to the clitoris in the female.
Prepuce: foreskin; fold of skin covering the tip of the penis.
Ejaculation: ejection of sperm and fluid from the male urethra.
Erectile Dysfunction: inability of an adult male to achieve an erection; impotence.
Flagellum: Hair-like projection on a sperm cell that makes it motile.
Fraternal Twins: two infants resulting from fertilization of 2 separate ova by 2 separate sperm
cells.
Identical Twins: two infants resulting from division of 1 fertilized egg into 2 distinct embryos.
Conjoined twins are incompletely separated identical twins.
Interstitial cells of the testes: specialized cells that lie adjacent to the seminiferous tubules
in the testes. These cells produce testosterone and are also called Leydig cells.
Parenchymal tissue: essential distinctive cells of an organ. In the testis, the seminiferous
tubules that produce sperm are parenchymal.
Stromal tissue: supportive, connective tissue of an organ, as distinguished form its
parenchyma. Also called stroma.
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Testosterone: Hormone secreted by the interstitial tissue of the testes; responsible for male
sex characteristics.
Spermatozoa: sperm cell.
Pathology conditions :-
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)
• Tumors and anatomic/structural disorders
Carcinoma of testes: Malignant tumor of the testicles.
• Cryptorchidism: Undescended testicles.
• Hydrocele: Sac of fluid in the scrotum.
• Testicular torsion: twisting of spermatic cord.
• Varicocele: Enlarged, dilated veins near the testicle.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): benign growth of cells within the prostate gland.
• Prostate cancer: Malignant tumor of the prostate gland.
• Hypospadias: Congenital abnormality in which the male urethral opening is on the
undersurface of the penis, instead at its tip.
• Phimosis: Narrowing of the opening of the prepuce over the glans penis.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Chlamydial infection: Bacterial invasion (by Chlamydia trachomatis) of the urethra
and reproductive tract.
• Gonorrhea: Inflammation of the genital tract mucosa, caused by infection with
gonococci.
• Herpes Genitalis: Infection of skin and genital mucosa, caused by the herpes simplex
virus.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection: Infection of the skin and mucous membrane
in the anogenital region by the human papillomavirus.
• Syphilis: Chronic STD caused by a spirochete (spiral-shaped bacterium)
• Chancre – hard ulcer or sore
Laboratory Tests
• PSA test: Measurement of levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.
• Semen analysis: Microscopic examination of ejaculated fluid.
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Clinical Procedures
• TURP: excision of benign prostatic hyperplasia using a resectoscope through the
urethra.
• Castration: Surgical excision of testicles or ovaries.
• Circumcision: Surgical procedure to remove the prepuce of the penis.
• Digital rectal examination (DRE): Finger palpation through the anal canal and rectum
to examine the prostate gland.
• Photoselective Vaporization Of The Prostate (Greenlight PVP): Removal of tissue to
treat benign prostatic hyperplasia using a green light laser (laser TURP).
• Vasectomy: Bilateral surgical removal of a part of the vas deferens.
Abbreviations
BPH: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia TUIP: Transurethral Incision Of The
Prostate
ED: Erectile Dysfunction
TURP: Transurethral Resection Of The
RPR: Rapid Plasma Reagin
Prostate
STD – Sexually Transmitted Disease
TUNA: Transurethral Needle Ablation
STI – Sexually Transmitted Infection
NSU: Nonspecific Urethritis
TRUS: Transrectal Ultrasound
Medical Terminology
Andro – male Spermo (or) Spermato – spermatozoa,
semen
Balano – glans penis
Terato – monster
Cryo – cold
Testo – testicle, testis
Crypto – hidden
Varico – varicose veins
Epididymo – epididymis
Vaso – vessel, duct; vas deferens
Gono – seed
Zoo – animal life
Hydro – water, fluid
Genesis – formation
Orcho (or) orchio (or) orchido – testis,
testicle One – hormone
Peno – penis Pexy – fixation, put in place
Prostato – prostate gland Stomy – new opening
Semini – semen, seed
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