A pair of pea-sized glands that empty into the urethra just before it extends through the penis; 

also known as Cowper's glands. 

(buhl-boh-yoo-REE-thral glands) 

A skin lesion, usually of primary syphilis, that begins at the site of infection as a small raised area and develops into a red painless ulcer with a scooped-out appearance; 

also known as a venereal sore. 

(SHANG-ker)

A pair of pea-sized glands that empty into the urethra just before it extends through the penis; 

also known as bulbourethral glands

(KOW-perz)

Use of subfreezing temperature to destory tissue. The coolant is circulanted through a metal probe, chilling it to as low as -160C. When the probe touches the tissue of the body, the moist tissues adhere to the cold metal of teh probe and freeze. 

(kry-oh-SER-jer-ee)

The removal of dirt, damaged tissue, and cellular debris from a wound or a burn to prevent infection and promote healing. 

(day-breed-MON)

Painful urination

(dis-YOO-ree-ah)

The process of ejecting, or expelling, the semen of the male urethra. 

Surgical removal of the epididymis

(ep-ih-did-ih-MEK-toh-mee)

A tightly coiled tubule that resembles a comma. It purpose is that of housing the sperm until they mature, becoming fertile and motile. Mature sperm are stored in the lower portion of the epididymis. 

(ep-ih-DID-ih-mis)

Acute or chronic inflammation of the epididymis.

This condition can be the result of a urinary tract infection, prolonged use of indwelling catheters, or venereal disease in the male. 

(ep-ih-did-ih-MY-tis)

Fluid, pus, or serum slowly discharged from cells or blood vessels through small pores or breaks in cell membranes. 

(EKS-yoo-dayt)

weak; lacking normal muscle tone.

(FLAK-sid) 

A loose, retractable fold of skin covering the tip of the penis;

also called the prepuce. 

(FOR-skin)

The tip of the penis

(GLANS PEE-nis)

The male sex glands, which are called the testes (singular testis or testicle). These are the primary organs of the male reproductive system. 

(GOH-nad)

A malignant growth that begins as soft, brownish or purpose raised areas on the feet and slowly spreads in the skin, spreading to the lymph nodes and internal organs. It occurs most often in men and is associated with AIDS. 

(KAP-oh-seez sar-KOH-mah)

The ability to move spontaneously

(moh-TILL-ih-tee)

Characterist of a combination of mucus and pus. 

(mew-koh-PEWR-yoo-lent)

An infection caused by normally nondisease-producing organisms that sets up in a host whose resistance has been decreased by surgery, illness, and disorders such as AIDS. 

(op-or-TOON-is-tik in-FEK-shuns)

Surgical fixation of an undescended testicle. 

(OR-kid-oh-peck-see)

Surgical fixation of an undescended testicle. 

(or-kee-oh-PECK-see)

A technique used in physical examinations that involves feeling parts of the body with the hands. 

(pal-PAY-shun)

Inflammation of the upper female genital tract (cervix, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes [also known as salpingitis];

may be assocaited with sexually transmitted diseases. 

The area between the scrotum and the anus in the male and between the vulva and anus in the female. 

(pair-ih-NEE-um)

A loose, retractable fold of skin covering the tip of the penis; also called foreskin

(PRE-pus)

Any agent or regimen that contributes to teh prevention of infection and disease. 

(proh-fih-LAK-tiks)

A gland that surrounds the base of the urethra, which secretes a milky-colored secretion into the urethra during ejaculation. This secretion enhances the motility of the sperm and helps to neutralize the secretions within the vagina. 

(PROSS-tayt gland) 

Removal of all or part of the prostate gland. 

(pross-tah-TEK-toh-mee)

Producing or containing pus. 

(PEWR-yoo-lent)

An instrument used to view the rectum that has a cutting and cauterizing (burning) loop. Also known as proctoscope. 

(REK-toh-skohp)

An instrument used to remove tissue surgically from the body. It has a light source and lens attached for viewing the area. 

(ree-SEK-toh-skohp)

Inflammation of the fallopian tubes; 

also known as pelvic inflammatory disease

(sal-pin-JYE-tis)

An external sac that houses the testicles. It is located posterior to the penis and is suspended from the perineum. 

(SKROH-tum)

A combination of sperm and various secretions that is expelled from the body through the urethra during sexual intercourse. 

(SEE-men)

Glands that secrete a thick, yellowish fluid (known as seminal fluid) into the vas deferens. 

Specialized coils of tiny tubules responsible for production of sperm; located in the testes. 

(SEM-in-IF-er-us TOO-byoo-ls)

Spermatozoan

or 

spermatozoon

A mature male germ cell

plural: spermatozoa

Testicles

(testes)

The male gonads, or male sex glands, responsible for production of spermatozoa (the mae germ cell) and for the secretion of the male hormone testosterone. 

(TESS-tih-kls)

A male hormone secreted by the testes, responsible for the secondary sex characteristic changes that occur in the male with the onset of puberty. These changes include growth of facial hair (beard), growth of pubic hair, and deepening of the voice. 

(tess-TOSS-ter-own)

A small, tubular structure extending the length of the penis that transports urine from the bladder (and semen, when ejaculated) to the outside of the body. 

(yoo-REE-thrah)

Inflammation of the urethra. 

(yoo-ree-THRY-tis)

The narrow, straight tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. 

(vas DEF-er-enz) 

Blisters; small, raised skin lesions containing clear fluid.

(VESS-ih-kls)

is the absence of one or both testicles

(an-OR-kizm)

Inflammation of the glans penis and the mucous membrane beneath it. 

Good hygiene and thorough drying of the penis when bathing are important preventive measures. 

(bal-ah-NYE-tis)

A benign (noncancerous enlargment of the prostate gland, creating pressure on the upper part of the urethra or neck of the bladder (causing obstruction of the flow of urine). 

common condition occurring in men over the age of 50

Malignant growth within the prostate gland, creating pressure on the uppper part of the urethra. 

most common cause of cancer among men and the most common cause of death due to cancer in men over the age of 55

A malignant tumor of the testicle that appears as a painless lump in the testicle; also called testicular cancer. 

is rare and usually occurs in men under the age of 40. 

Cause unknown 

Condition of undescended testicle(s); the absense of one or both testicles from the scrotum. 

testicles may be found in abdominal cavity or inguinal canal 

corrected by orchiopexy

(kript-OR-kid-izm)

A congenital defect in which the urethra opens on the upper side of the penis at some point near the glans. 

(ep-ih-SPAY-dee-as)

An accumulation of fluid in any saclike cavity or duct, particularly the scrotal sac or along the spermatic cord. 

(HIGH-droh-seel)

The congenital defect in which the urethra opens on the underside of the penis instead of at the end. 

(high-poh-SPAY-dee-as)

The inability of a male to achieve or sustain an erection of the penis. 

may be psychological or physiological

(IM-poh-tens)

A protrusion of a part of the intestine through a weakened spot  in the muscles and membranes of the inguinal region of the abdomen. The intestine pushes into, and sometimes fills, the entire scrotal sac in the male. 

may be treated nonsurgically (if possible) or reapired by herniorrhaphy

(ING-gwih-nal HER-nee-ah)

Inflammation of the testes due to a virus, bacterial infection, or injury. The condition may affect one or both testes. 

typically results from the mumps virus. 

(or-KIGH-tis) 

A tightness of foreskin (prepuce) of the penis that prevents it from being pulled back. The opening of the foreskin narrows due to the tightness and may cause some difficutly with urination. 

usually congenital but can be caused by edema and inflammation 

treatment for phimosis is circumcision. 

(fih-MOH-sis)

The discharge of seminal fluid prior to complete erection of the penis or immediately after the penis has been introduced into the vaginal canal. 

caused by psychological or physiological reasons 

Inflammaiton of the prostate gland. 

(pross-tah-TYE-tis)

An abnormal dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord leading to the testicle. 

can cause lower sperm count because of increased heat 

(VAIR-ih-koh-seel)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

(AIDS)

is a deadly virus that destroys the body's immune system by invading the helper T lymphocytes (T cells), which play an important part in the body's immune response. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replicates itself within the T cells, destroying the lymphocyte, and then invades other lymphocytes. 

The most common type of malignancy associated with AIDS is Kaposi's sarcoma, which is an aggressive malignancy of the blood vessels characterized by rapidly growing purple lesions appearing on the skin, in the mouth, or anywhere in the body. 

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection that causes inflammtion of the cervix (cervicitis) in women and inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) and the epididymis (epididymitis) in men. 

symptoms in men appear one to three weeks after exposure 

(klah-MID-ee-ah)

A highly contagious viral infection of the male and female genitalia; also known as venereal herpes. Caused by the herpes simplex virus (usually HSV-2), genital herpes is transmitted by direct contact with infected body secretions (usually through sexual intercourse). Genital herpes differs from other sexually transmitted diseases in that it can recur spontaneously once the virus has been acquired. 

(JEN-ih-tal HER-peez) 

Small, cauliflower-like, fleshy growths usually seen along the penis in the male and in or near the vagina in women. Genital warts are transmitted from person to person through sexual intercourse. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The time span from initial contact with the virus to occurrence of symptoms can be from one to six months. 

(JEN-ih-tal warts) 

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection of the mucous membrane of the genital tract in men and woman. It is pread by sexual intercourse with an infected partner and can also be passed on from an infected mother to her infanct during the birth process. 

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative organism. 

(gon-oh-REE-ah) 

A sexually transmitted disease characterized by lesions that may invovled any organ or tissue. It is spread by sexual intercourse with an infected partner and can also be passed through the placenta from an infected mother to her unborn infant. The spirochete Treponema pallidum is the causative organism of this highly contagious disease. If left untreated, this disease progresses through three stages (each with characteristic signs and symptoms): 

Primary syphilis: chancres appear within 10 days to a few weeks after exposure

Secondary syphilis:occurs 2 months later; presence of nonitching rash on the palsm of the hands and the soles of the feet  

Tertiary syphilis: can occur 5-20 years after exposure lesions are not reversible; can lead to life-threatening disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and heart. 

(SIF-ih-lis)

A sexually transmitted protozoal infection of the vagina, urethra, or prostate. It is usually spread by sexual intercourse and affects approximately 15% of all sexually active people. The causative organism is Trichomonas vaginalis. 

can cause oderous discharge in woman; in men is is asymptomatic

(trik-oh-moh-NYE-ah-sis) 

The surgical removal of the testicles in the male (or the ovaries in teh female); also known as an orchidectomy or orchiectomy in the male and in an oophorectomy in the female. 

usually performed to redue the production and secretion of certain hormones that may encourage the growth and malignant cells in either the male or female 

(kass-TRAY-shun)

is the process of viewing the interior of the bladder by using a cystoscope. 

(sis-TOSS-koh-pee)

A serological test for syphilis (performed on blood serum). The acronym stands for fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test. 

uses fluorescent dye to stain antibodies for identification in specimens. 

Intravenous Pyelogram 

(IVP) 

Intravenous Pyelography

Excretroy Urogram

The surgical removal of a testicle. 

(or-kid-EK-toh-mee)

Orchidopexy

(orchiopexy)

A surgical fixation of a testicle. 

(OR-kid-oh-peck-see)

(or-kee-oh-PECK-see)

A radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the entire prostate gland as a treatment for cancer. 

(RAD-ih-kal pross-tah-TEK-toh-mee)

An assessment of a sample of semen for volume, viscosity, sperm count, sperm motility, and percentage of any abnormal sperm. 

can be used to attempt to determine the cause of infertility in couples 

The surgical removal of the prostate gland by making an incision into the abdominal wall, just above the pubic bone. 

is performed when the surgeon believes teh prostate gland is too enlarged to be removed through the urethra. 

(soo-prah-PEW-bik pross-tah-TEK-toh-mee)

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate 

(TUR or TURP) 

The surgical removal of a portion of the prostate gland by inserting a resectoscope (an instrument used to remove tissue from the body) through the urethra and into the bladder. 

(trans-yoo-REE-thral REE-sek-shun of the PROSS-tayt)

A surgical cutting and tying of the vas deferens to prevent the passage of sperm, consequently preventing pregnancy; male sterilization. 

(vas-EK-toh-mee)

A serological test for syphilis (test performed on blood serum); widely used to test for primary and secondary syphilis. The acronym stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test. 

clumping is positive test

nonclumping is negative