Topic 6c: Conditions in Specific Populations; Male Athletes Flashcards
where is spermatozoa produced?
the testes
what stores, transports and nourishes the spermatozoa?
ducts
what does accessory glands do in the male reproductive system?
contribute to the formation of semen
what does urine and semen pass through?
the penis
what is the primary hormone produced by the testes?
testosterone
what can testosterone be responsible for?
the production of anabolic effects;
- increased bone growth
- increase bone density
- increased skeletal muscle size and mass
what is spermatogenesis?
the generation of spermatozoa
- begins at an average age of 13 years and continues throughout the reproductive years of a man’s life
- occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes
- testosterone is required for spermatogenesis to occur
what injuries are more commonly found in males?
- penile or testicular injuries
- runners nipple
- genital related
what types of penile trauma can occur in sport?
superficial injuries like wounds, contusions, lacerations, avulsions, fractures, frost bite
what is pudendal nerve irritations?
a nerve in the pelvis which innervates the genitals and can lead to transient paresthesia (abnormal thermal sensation on the skin (tingling, numbness, burning, prickling))
what is priapism?
where the nerve gets overstimulated and it can cause persistent and painful erection of the penis
what is primary priapism?
when the priapism results from trauma, infection or neoplasm (abnormal growth like cancer)
what is secondary priapism?
caused by different blood conditions and neurological conditions
what sports may testicular trauma be most common in?
- soccer
- lacrosse
- hockey
- combat sports
- beach volleyball
what are some of the potential signs and symptoms of testicular trauma?
- increased size
- visible bruising
- pain is definitely a first indicator
what is hematocele?
swelling cause by blood collecting in a body cavity (likely the tunica vaginalis)
- tends to occur when there is blunt trauma to a plexus of veins which will then cause rapid blood
- 50% of patients with a traumatic hematocele will also have a testicular rupture (surgical repair might be necessary)
- aspirating is alternative to surgery (sticking a needle in to remove excess blood)
- swelling can cause it to be very large
what is hydrocele?
when fluid collects within the sheath that surround the testicle
- common in newborns and usually disappears without treatment by age 1
- typically isn’t painful and occurs unilaterally and tends to be due to inflammation
what is varicocele?
enlargement or rupture of vein within the scrotum (testes)
- more common on the left
what is spermatocele?
a cystic swelling either on the epididymis or of the testes that contains spermatozoa
what is testicular torsion?
- it happens when the spermatic cord, which blood flow to the testicle, rotates and becomes twisted
- the twisting cuts off the testicle’s blood supply and causes sudden pain and swelling
signs and symptoms of testicular torsion?
- swelling, especially on one side of the scrotum
- nausea and/or vomiting
- abdominal pain
- one testicle appears to be higher than the other
- most common around puberty
- an emergency condition
what is a hernia?
- protrusion of abdominal viscera through a portion of the abdominal wall - may be congenital (at birth) or acquired
three common types of hernias
- umbilical/direct
- inguinal (most common)
- femoral
diagnosis of a hernia
- visual
- unusual feeling of pulling
