6.9: Glossary
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (ă-KWĪRD im-yū-nō-dĕ-FISH-ĕn-sē SĬN-drōm) (AIDS): A potentially life-threatening disease that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions during sexual intercourse. (Chapter 6.6)
Androgen (AN-drŏ-jĕn): Hormones that stimulate or control the development of male characteristics; includes testosterone. (Chapter 6.4, Chapter 6.5)
Anorchism (ă-NOR-kĭzm): The absence of one or both testes. (Chapter 6.4)
Antiretroviral therapy (ăn-tē-rĕ-trō-VĪ-răl THĔR-ă-pē): Treatment using medications that inhibit the replication of retroviruses, such as HIV, improving the health and prolonging the life of people infected. (Chapter 6.6)
Aspermia (ā-SPUR-mē-ă): The complete absence of semen, a rare condition affecting male fertility. (Chapter 6.6)
Azoospermia (ā-zō-ŏ-SPĔR-mē-ă): The absence of sperm in semen, often linked to infertility. (Chapter 6.5)
Balanitis (băl-ă-NĪ-tĭs): Inflammation of the glans penis, often due to infection or irritation. (Chapter 6.7)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (bē-NĪN prŏs-TĂT-ĭk hī-pĕr-PLĀ-zhē-ă) (BPH): Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. (Chapter 6.6)
Bulbourethral glands (bul-bō-Ū-rĒ-thrăl glandz): Glands that produce a fluid that lubricates the urethra and neutralizes any acidity due to urine. (Chapter 6.4)
Chemotherapy (KĒ-mō-THĔR-ă-pē): The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, typically by stopping their ability to grow and divide. (Chapter 6.6)
Chlamydia (klă-MĬD-ē-ă): A common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. (Chapter 6.6)
Circumcision (sĭr-kŭm-SIZH-ŏn): The surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis. (Chapter 6.4, Chapter 6.7)
Coitus (KŌ-ĭ-tŭs): The sexual union of a male and female involving insertion of the penis into the vagina. (Chapter 6.4)
Condom (KON-dŭm): A contraceptive device worn over the penis during sexual activity to prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of STIs. (Chapter 6.5)
Cryptorchidism (krip-TOR-kĭd-izm): A condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum before birth. (Chapter 6.4)
Digital rectal exam (dĭj-ĭ-tăl RĔK-tăl ĕgz-ăm): A manual examination of the prostate gland through the rectum to check for abnormalities. (Chapter 6.6)
Ejaculation (i-jăk-yŭ-LĀ-shŏn): The discharge of semen from the male reproductive system. (Chapter 6.5)
Epididymis (ep-ĭ-DID-ĭ-mĭs): A long, coiled tube attached to the back of the testis that stores and carries sperm. (Chapter 6.4)
Erectile dysfunction (ĕ-RĔK-tīl dis-FŬNGK-shŏn): The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. (Chapter 6.5, Chapter 6.6)
Foreskin (FŌR-skin): The retractable fold of skin covering the end of the penis. (Chapter 6.4)
Genital herpes (JEN-ĭt-ăl HUR-pēz): A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus, characterized by painful blisters in the genital area. (Chapter 6.6)
Glans penis (glănz PĒ-nĭs): The bulbous tip of the penis. (Chapter 6.4)
Gonorrhea (gon-ŏ-RĒ-ă): A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. (Chapter 6.6)
Herpes simplex virus (HUR-pēz SĬM-pleks VĪ-rŭs) (HSV): A virus causing contagious sores, most often around the mouth or on the genitals. (Chapter 6.6)
Hormone therapy (HOR-mōn THĔR-ă-pē): Treatment to alter hormone levels to slow or stop cancer cell growth. (Chapter 6.6)
Human immunodeficiency virus (hu-man im-yŭ-nō-dĕ-FISH-ĕn-sē VĪ-rŭs) (HIV): A virus that attacks the T-helper cells of the immune system. (Chapter 6.6)
Human papillomavirus (hu-man PAP-ĭ-LŌ-mă-VĪ-rŭs) (HPV): A group of viruses that can cause warts on the skin or mucous membranes and are associated with some types of cancer. (Chapter 6.6)
Hydrocele (HĪ-drŏ-sēl): A fluid-filled sac around a testicle, often causing swelling in the scrotum. (Chapter 6.6)
Hydrocelectomy (hī-drō-sē-LĔK-tō-mē): Surgical removal of a hydrocele, a fluid-filled sac in the scrotum, to relieve swelling. (Chapter 6.7)
Immunotherapy (ĭm-yū-nō-THĔR-ă-pē): Treatment that uses certain parts of a person’s immune system to fight diseases such as cancer. (Chapter 6.6)
Inguinal hernia (IN-gwĭ-năl HUR-nē-ă): A condition where part of the intestine protrudes through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. (Chapter 6.4)
Inguinal orchiectomy (IN-gwĭ-năl or-kē-EK-tŏ-mē): Surgical removal of a testicle through an incision in the groin area. (Chapter 6.6)
Libido (lĭ-BĒ-dō): Sexual desire or drive. (Chapter 6.5)
Nucleic acid amplification testing (no͞o-klē-ĭk ĂS-ĭd ăm-plĭ-fĭ-KĀ-shŏn tĕst-ing) (NAAT): A laboratory test that increases the amount of DNA or RNA in a sample to detect the presence of specific organisms, such as bacteria or viruses. (Chapter 6.6)
Open radical prostatectomy (OPEN RAD-ĭ-kăl prŌS-tă-TĔK-tŏ-mē): A surgical technique involving an incision to remove the prostate gland. (Chapter 6.6)
Orchiectomy (or-kē-EK-tŏ-mē): Surgical removal of one or both testicles, often done for cancer treatment or hormone therapy. (Chapter 6.6)
Orgasm (OR-găzm): The climax of sexual stimulation. (Chapter 6.5)
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PĔL-vĭk ĭn-flă-MĂ-tōr-ē dĭ-ZĒZ) (PID): A complication of STIs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, affecting female reproductive organs. (Chapter 6.6)
Pelvic lymphadenectomy (PĔL-vĭk lim-fad-ĕ-NEK-tō-mē): Surgical removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis to check for cancer spread. (Chapter 6.6)
Penis (PĒ-nĭs): The male organ used for urination and sexual intercourse. (Chapter 6.4)
Phimosis (fī-MŌ-sĭs): A condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the glans penis, sometimes requiring circumcision for treatment. (Chapter 6.7)
Prepuce (PRĒ-pyūs): Another term for foreskin, the skin covering the glans of the penis. (Chapter 6.4)
Priapism (PRĪ-ă-pĭzm): A prolonged and often painful erection of the penis not associated with sexual desire. (Chapter 6.5)
Prostate (PRŌS-tāt): A gland in the male reproductive system that produces some of the fluid in semen. (Chapter 6.4)
Prostate cancer (PRŌS-tāt KAN-sĕr): A form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland. (Chapter 6.6)
Prostate-specific antigen (PRŌS-tāt spĕ-SIF-ĭk AN-tĭ-jĕn) (PSA): A protein produced by the prostate gland; elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer. (Chapter 6.6)
Prostatitis (prŏs-tă-TĪT-ĭs): Inflammation of the prostate gland, which can cause urinary problems and discomfort. (Chapter 6.6)
PSMA PET scan (PSMA PĒ-Ē-TĔ skăn): An imaging test using a radioactive substance to detect prostate cancer cells by targeting PSMA protein. (Chapter 6.6)
Puberty (PŪ-bĕr-tē): The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. (Chapter 6.5)
Radiation therapy (RĀ-dē-Ā-shŭn THĔR-ă-pē): Treatment using high-energy waves like X-rays to destroy cancer cells. (Chapter 6.6)
Radical laparoscopic prostatectomy (RAD-ĭ-kăl lăp-ă-RŎS-kŏ-pĭk prŌS-tă-TĔK-tŏ-mē): Minimally invasive surgery using small incisions and a camera to remove the prostate. (Chapter 6.6)
Radical prostatectomy (RAD-ĭ-kăl prŌS-tă-TĔK-tŏ-mē): Surgery to remove the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue. (Chapter 6.6)
Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RĀ-dē-ō-far-mă-SOO-tĭ-kăl THĔR-ă-pē): Treatment using radioactive drugs to target and kill cancer cells. (Chapter 6.6)
Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (ROH-bot ă-SĬS-tĕd lăp-ă-RŎS-kŏ-pĭk RAD-ĭ-kăl prŌS-tă-TĔK-tŏ-mē): A robotic surgery method for prostate removal using laparoscopic techniques. (Chapter 6.6)
Scrotum (SKRŌ-tŭm): A pouch of skin containing the testicles and part of the spermatic cord. (Chapter 6.4)
Semen (SĒ-mĕn): The fluid that is ejaculated during orgasm, containing sperm and secretions from the male reproductive glands. (Chapter 6.4)
Semen analysis (SĒ-mĕn ă-NĂL-ĭ-sĭs): A test to evaluate the characteristics of a male’s semen and the sperm contained therein, often used to assess fertility. (Chapter 6.7)
Seminal vesicle biopsy (SEM-ĭ-năl VES-ĭ-kĕl BĪ-ŏp-sē): A procedure to remove fluid from seminal vesicles for cancer cell examination. (Chapter 6.6)
Seminal vesicles (SEM-ĭ-năl VES-ĭ-kĕlz): Glandular pouches that secrete semen into the ejaculatory duct. (Chapter 6.4)
Seminiferous tubules (sem-ĭ-NIF-ĕr-ŭs TŪ-būls): Narrow, coiled tubules inside the testes where sperm are produced. (Chapter 6.4)
Sexually transmitted disease (SEKS-ū-ă-lē trăns-MĬT-ed dĭ-ZĒZ) (STD): Diseases that are primarily transmitted through sexual activity. (Chapter 6.6)
Sexually transmitted infection (SEKS-ū-ă-lē trăns-MĬT-ed ĭn-FĔK-shŏn) (STI): Infections typically spread through sexual contact. (Chapter 6.6)
Sperm (SPURM): Male reproductive cells involved in sexual reproduction. (Chapter 6.5)
Spermatic cord (spur-MAT-ĭk KORD): A bundle of nerves, ducts, and blood vessels connecting the testicles to the abdominal cavity. (Chapter 6.4)
Spermatocele (spĕr-MĂT-ō-sēl): A fluid-filled cyst in the epididymis, often painless and found near the testicles. (Chapter 6.6)
Spermatogenesis (spur-mă-tō-JĔN-ĕ-sĭs): The process of sperm cell development. (Chapter 6.5)
Sterilization (ster-ĭ-lī-ZĀ-shŭn): A permanent method of contraception that prevents pregnancy in women and the release of sperm in men. (Chapter 6.7)
Syphilis (SIF-ĭ-lĭs): A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, characterized by various stages including sores, rashes, and potentially serious systemic effects if untreated. (Chapter 6.6)
Targeted therapy (TAR-gĕt-ed THĔR-ă-pē): Cancer treatment that uses drugs to target specific genes and proteins involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. (Chapter 6.6)
Testes (TĔS-tēz): The male reproductive organs that produce sperm and testosterone. (Chapter 6.4)
Testicular cancer (tĕs-TĬK-ū-lăr KAN-sĕr): Cancer that originates in the testicles, typically diagnosed in younger men. (Chapter 6.6)
Testicular torsion (tĕs-TĬK-ū-lăr TOR-shŏn): A medical emergency where the spermatic cord becomes twisted, cutting off blood supply to the testicle. (Chapter 6.6)
Testosterone (tĕs-TOS-tĕ-rōn): A primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. (Chapter 6.5)
Torsion (TOR-shŏn): The twisting of the spermatic cord, which can cut off blood supply to the testicle. (Chapter 6.4)
Transrectal biopsy (trans-RĔK-tăl BĪ-ŏp-sē): Tissue sample removal from the prostate via the rectum for cancer testing. (Chapter 6.6)
Transrectal MRI (trans-RĔK-tăl ĕm-ĀR-ĀĪ): Magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate gland through the rectum. (Chapter 6.6)
Transrectal MRI guided biopsy (trăns-RĔK-tăl MRĪ GĪ-ded BĪ-ŏp-sē): A procedure that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide the removal of tissue samples from the prostate through the rectum. (Chapter 6.6)
Transrectal ultrasound (trans-RĔK-tăl ŬL-tră-sound): A diagnostic procedure using ultrasound inserted through the rectum to visualize the prostate. (Chapter 6.6)
Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (trăns-RĔK-tăl ŬL-tră-sound GĪ-ded BĪ-ŏp-sē): A procedure in which a probe inserted into the rectum uses ultrasound to guide the removal of tissue samples from the prostate for analysis. (Chapter 6.6)
Transurethral (trans-ū-RĒ-thrăl): Pertaining to going through or across the urethra. (Chapter 6.6)
Transurethral incision of the prostate (trans-ū-RĒ-thrăl in-SIZH-ŭn ŏv thĕ PRŌS-tāt) (TUIP): A surgical procedure to make incisions in the prostate gland to treat urinary problems due to BPH. (Chapter 6.6)
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (trans-ū-RĒ-thrăl MĪ-krō-wāv THUR-mō-THĔR-ă-pē) (TUMT): A treatment for BPH using microwave energy to reduce prostate size. (Chapter 6.6)
Transurethral resection of the prostate (trans-ū-RĒ-thrăl rĭ-SĔK-shŭn ŏv thĕ PRŌS-tāt) (TURP): A surgical procedure to remove part of the prostate gland to relieve urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. (Chapter 6.6)
Trichomoniasis (trĭk-ō-mō-NĪ-ă-sĭs): A common sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan parasite, often resulting in vaginal or urethral discharge. (Chapter 6.6)
Urologist (yū-RŌL-ŏ-jĭst): A physician who specializes in the treatment of disorders of the urinary system and male reproductive system. (Chapter 6.7)
Urology (yū-RŎL-ŏ-jē): Study of the male and female urinary tract systems and the male reproductive system. (Chapter 6.7)
Varicocele (VAR-ĭ-kō-sēl): An enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, often associated with infertility. (Chapter 6.6)
Vas deferens (VĀS DEF-ĕr-ĕnz): The duct that conveys sperm from the testicle to the urethra. (Chapter 6.4)
Vasectomy (vă-SEK-tō-mē): A surgical procedure for male sterilization involving the cutting and sealing of part of each vas deferens. (Chapter 6.4, Chapter 6.7)