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Glossary Terms
Anesthesia
Loss of sensation in any part of the body induced by a numbing or paralyzing agent. Often used during surgery to put a person to sleep.
Anesthetized
Administered an anesthetic.
Antibodies
Proteins that fight infections.
Azoospermia
Absence of sperm in the ejaculate fluid.
Biopsy:
A procedure in which a tiny piece of a body part (tissue sample), such as the kidney or bladder, is removed (with a needle or during surgery) for examination under a microscope; to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.
Bladder
The balloon-shaped pouch of thin, flexible muscle in which urine is temporarily stored before being discharged through the urethra.
Bladder neck
Area of thickened muscle fiber where the bladder joins the urethra. Acting on signals from the brain, bladder neck muscles can either tighten to hold urine in the bladder or relax to allow urine out and into the urethra. These muscles also tighten during ejaculation to prevent backflow of semen into the bladder.
Calcification
Abnormal hardening or stiffening of a body part.
Cancer
An abnormal growth that can invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body and may be a threat to life.
Catheter
A thin tube that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to allow urine to drain or for performance of a procedure or test, such as insertion of a substance during a bladder X-ray.
Cervical
Relating to the neck or any part of the body that resembles a neck. In the context of reproduction, it refers to the neck of the uterus (the cervix) in the female.
Chromosomal
Relating to a rod-shaped structure in a cell nucleus that carries the genes that determines sex and the characteristics an organism inherits from its parents.
Chromosome
A structure consisting of DNA and proteins, found in the nucleus of a cell, which carries the genetic information in living organisms.
Cyst
An abnormal sac containing gas, fluid or a semisolid material. Cysts may form in kidneys or other parts of the body.
Cystic
Used to describe a cyst or material that forms, contains or is enclosed in a cyst.
Cystic fibrosis
A hereditary disease starting in infancy that affects various glands and results in secretion of thick mucous that blocks internal passages, including those of the lungs causing respiratory infections.
Dilate
Widen.
Dilated
Widened.
Diminished
Made or became smaller
DNA
Also known as deoxyribonucleic acid. A molecule in the form of a twisted double strand that is the major component of chromosomes and carries genetic information.
Ejaculate
The fluid that is expelled from a man's penis during sexual climax (orgasm). To release semen from the penis during an orgasm.
Ejaculation
Release of semen from the penis during sexual climax (orgasm).
Ejaculatory
Involved in or related to the structure involved in the release of semen from the penis during orgasm.
Ejaculatory duct
The passage through which semen enters the urethra.
Embryo
A human offspring in the early stages following conception up to the end of the eighth week.
Epididymis
A coiled tube attached to the back and upper side of the testicle that stores sperm and is connected to the vas deferens
Fallopian tubes
There are two fallopian tubes, one on each side of the uterus. They transport an egg from the ovary to the uterus.
Fertile
Able to produce offspring.
Fertility
The ability to conceive and have children.
Fibrosis
An abnormal thickening and scarring of connective tissues.
Frequency
The need to urinate more often than is normal.
Rectal
Relating to, involving or in the rectum.
Rectal ultrasound
A diagnostic test that uses very high frequency sound waves to produce an image of the rectum.
Rectum
The lower part of the large intestine, ending in the anal opening.
Retrograde
Backwards.
Retrograde ejaculation
Caused by the failure of the bladder neck to close during ejaculation allowing the ejaculate to be propelled into the bladder instead of out the penis.
Scrotal
Relating to the scrotum, the sac of tissue that hangs below the penis and contains the testicles.
Scrotum
Also referred to as the scrotal sac. The sac of tissue that hangs below the penis and contains the testicles.
Semen
Also known as seminal fluid or ejaculate fluid. Thick, whitish fluid produced by glands of the male reproductive system that carries the sperm (reproductive cells) through the penis during ejaculation.
Semen analysis
A laboratory study of semen to determine the concentration, shape and motility of sperm.
Seminal fluid
Also known as semen or ejaculate fluid. The fluid released at orgasm which contains sperm and secretions from the prostate.
Seminal vesicle
Two pouch-like glands behind the bladder. They produce a sugar-rich fluid called fructose that provides sperm with a source of energy that helps sperm move. The fluid of the seminal vesicles makes up most of the volume of a man's ejaculatory fluid, or ejaculate.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Also referred to as STDs. Any of a diverse group of infections caused by biologically dissimilar pathogens and transmitted by sexual contact.
Sperm
Also referred to as spermatozoa. Male germ cells (gametes or reproductive cells) that are produced by the testicles and that are capable of fertilizing the female partner's eggs. Cells resemble tadpoles if seen by the naked eye.
Sperm count
The laboratory measurement of the number of sperm in the semen.
Spermatozoa
Also referred to as sperm. Male germ cells that are produced by the testicles and that are capable of fertilizing the female partner's eggs. Cells resemble tadpoles if seen by the naked eye.
Steroid
An organic fat-soluble compound.
Systemic
Affecting the whole body.
Testicle
Also known as testis. Either of the paired, egg-shaped glands contained in a pouch (scrotum) below the penis. They produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone.
Testicular
Relating to the testicle (testis).
Testicular biopsy
Removal of a sample of testicle tissue for laboratory examination.
Testicular cancer
Cancer of the testis.
Testosterone
Male hormone responsible for sexual desire and for regulating a number of body functions.
Tissue
Group of cells in an organism that are similar in form and function.
Tran’s rectal ultrasound
Also referred to as TRUS. This is a special kind of ultrasound test in which the sound waves are produced by a probe inserted into the rectum. In men, the structures most commonly examined with this test are the prostate, bladder, seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts.
Ultrasound
Also referred to as a sonogram. A technique that bounces painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure to detect abnormalities.
Urethra
In males, this narrow tube carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body and also serves as the channel through which semen is ejaculated. extends from the bladder to the tip of the penis. In females, this short, narrow tube carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Urge
Strong desire to urinate.
Urine
Liquid waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the bladder and expelled from the body through the urethra by the act of urinating (voiding). About 96 percent of which is water and the rest waste products.
Urologist
A doctor who specializes in diseases of the male and female urinary systems and the male reproductive system. Click here to learn more about urologists. Click here to view the brochure in zinio format. (Download the free Zinio reader or the free Acrobat reader.)
Uterus
A hallow, muscular organ in the pelvis cavity of females in which the embryo is nourished and develops before birth.
Vagina
The tube in a woman's body that runs beside the urethra and connects the uterus (womb) to the outside of the body. Sometimes called the birth canal. Sexual intercourse, the outflow of blood during menstruation and the birth of a baby all take place through the vagina.
Varicocelectomy
The ligation (tying off) of a varicocele.
Varicoceles
Dilated varicose veins in the scrotum that drain the testis and can impair the process of formation of sperm.
Vas
Also referred to as vas deferens. The cordlike structure that carries sperm from the testicle to the urethra.
Vas deferens
Also referred to as vas. The cord like structure that carries sperm from the testicle to the ejaculatory duct, which in turn carries it to the urethra.
Vasectomy
A surgical operation in which the vas deferens from each testicle is cut and tied to prevent the transfer of sperm during ejaculation.
Vein
Blood vessel that drains blood away from an organ or tissue.
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