Key Terms

Question 1

androgen

Answer 1

Any hormone that produces male characteristics; root andr/o means “male”

Question 2

bulbourethral gland

Answer 2

A small gland beside the urethra below the prostate that secretes part of the seminal fluid. Also called Cowper gland

Question 3

circumcision

Answer 3

Surgical removal of the end of the prepuce (foreskin)

Question 4

ductus deferens

Answer 4

The duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. Also called vas deferens

Question 5

ejaculatory duct

Answer 5

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 6

epididymis

Answer 6

A coiled tube on the surface of the testis that stores sperm until ejaculation (root: epididym/o)

Question 7

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 7

A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the male, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells and promotes sperm cell development

Question 8

gamete

Answer 8

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

Question 9

glans penis

Answer 9

The bulbous end of the penis

Question 10

inguinal canal

Answer 10

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

Question 11

interstitial cells

Answer 11

Cells located between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce hormones, mainly testosterone. Also called cells of Leydig (LI-dig).

Question 12

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer 12

A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads

Question 13

meiosis

Answer 13

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 14

prepuce

Answer 14

The fold of skin over the glans penis; the foreskin

Question 15

prostate gland

Answer 15

A gland that surrounds the urethra below the bladder in males and contributes secretions to the semen (root: prostat/o)

Question 16

seminal vesicle

Answer 16

A sac-like gland behind the bladder that contributes secretions to the semen (root: vesicul/o)

Question 17

Sertoli cell

Answer 17

Cell in a seminiferous tubule that aids in the development of spermatozoa; sustentacular (sus-ten-TAK-u-lar) cell

Question 18

spermatic cord

Answer 18

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

Question 19

vas deferens

Answer 19

The duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Question 20

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Answer 20

Nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate;

Question 21

cryptorchidism

Answer 21

Failure of the testis to descend into the scrotum

Question 22

epididymitis

Answer 22

Inflammation of the epididymis. Common causes are UTIs and STIs

Question 23

inguinal hernia

Answer 23

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

Question 24

orchitis

Answer 24

Inflammation of a testis.

Question 25

prostatitis

Answer 25

Inflammation of the prostate gland.

Question 26

urethritis

Answer 26

Inflammation of the urethra

Question 27

herniorrhaphy

Answer 27

Surgical repair of a hernia

Question 28

prostatectomy

Answer 28

Surgical removal of the prostate

Question 29

vasectomy

Answer 29

Excision of the vas deferens.

Question 30

emission

Answer 30

The discharge of semen

Question 31

balanitis

Answer 31

Inflammation of the glans penis and mucous membrane beneath it (root balan/o means “glans penis”)

Question 32

bladder neck obstruction (BNO)

Answer 32

Blockage of urine flow at the outlet of the bladder.

Question 33

hydrocele

Answer 33

The accumulation of fluid in a sac-like cavity, especially within the covering of the testis or spermatic cord

Question 34

phimosis

Answer 34

Narrowing of the prepuce’s opening so that the foreskin cannot be pushed back over the glans penis

Question 35

priapism

Answer 35

Abnormal, painful, continuous erection of the penis, as may be caused by drugs or specific damage to the spinal cord

Question 36

seminoma

Answer 36

A tumor of the testis

Question 37

spermatocele

Answer 37

An epididymal cyst containing spermatozoa

Question 38

varicocele

Answer 38

Enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord

Question 39

brachytherapy

Answer 39

Radiation therapy by placement of encapsulated radiation sources, such as seeds, directly into a tumor or nearby tissue (from Greek brachy-, meaning “short”)

Question 40

Gleason tumor grade

Answer 40

A system for assessing the severity of cancerous changes in the prostate; reported as a Gleason score

Question 41

resectoscope

Answer 41

Endoscopic instrument for transurethral removal of tissue from the bladder, prostate, uterus, or urethra

Question 42

Whitmore–Jewett staging

Answer 42

A method for staging prostatic tumors; and alternate to TNM staging