Ablation
The removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function.
May be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods.
Arthralgia
Joint pain.
Aspermia
Condition of the complete absence of sperm.
Balanitis
Inflammation of the glans penis.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
A benign condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow of urine.
Bulbourethral glands
Glands that secrete a lubricating mucus that cleans and lubricates the urethra prior to and during ejaculation; also called Cowper’s glands.
Circumcision
The surgical removal of the prepuce.
Coitus
Sexual intercourse between a male and female.
Condom
A sheath that is worn over the penis during sexual behavior in order to prevent pregnancy or spread of sexually transmitted disease.
Corpus cavernosum
Either of two columns of erectile tissue in the penis that fill with blood during an erection.
Corpus spongiosum
Column of erectile tissue in the penis that fills with blood during an erection and surrounds the penile urethra on the ventral portion of the penis.
Cryptorchidism
The failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum prior to birth.
Ductus deferens
Duct that transports sperm from the epididymis through the spermatic cord and into the ejaculatory duct; also referred to as the vas deferens.
Dysuria
Painful urination.
Ejaculatory duct
Duct that connects the ampulla of the ductus deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle at the prostatic urethra.
Enucleation
Excision of a whole organ or mass without cutting into it.
Epididymis
A coiled tubular structure in which sperm start to mature and are stored until ejaculation.
Epididymitis
Inflammation of the epididymis.
Gamete
A specialized sex cell carrying 23 chromosomes.
Glans penis
Bulbous end of the penis that contains a large number of nerve endings.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Hormone released by the hypothalamus that regulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland.
Gonads
Reproductive organs (testes in men and ovaries in women) that produce gametes and reproductive hormones.
Hydrocele
Accumulation of serous fluid between the layers of membrane covering the testis.
Infertility
The inability to produce children.
Inguinal canal
Opening in the abdominal wall that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity.
Leydig cells
Cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce testosterone; a type of interstitial cell.
Myalgia
Pain in a muscle or group of muscles.
Oligospermia
Condition of a suboptimal concentration of spermatozoa in the ejaculated semen to ensure successful fertilization of an ovum.
Orchiectomy
Surgery to remove one or both testicles; also called orchidectomy.
Orchiopexy
Surgical fixation of the testicle.
Orchitis
Inflammation of a testis.
Penis
Male organ of copulation.
Polyuria
Excessive urine production.
Prepuce
Flap of skin that forms a collar around, and thus protects and lubricates, the glans penis; also referred to as the foreskin.
Prostate gland
A gland at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra that contributes fluid to semen during ejaculation.
Prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland.
Scrotum
An external pouch of skin and muscle that houses the testes.
Semen
Ejaculatory fluid composed of sperm and secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands.
Seminal vesicle
Gland that produces seminal fluid, which contributes to semen.
Seminiferous tubules
Structures within the testes where spermatogenesis occurs.
Sertoli cells
Cells that support germ cells through the process of spermatogenesis; a type of sustentacular cell.
Sperm
Male gamete.
Spermatic cord
Bundle of nerves and blood vessels that supplies the testes; contains ductus deferens.
Spermatid
Immature sperm cells produced by meiosis II of secondary spermatocytes.
Spermatocyte
A male gametocyte from which a spermatozoon develops.
Spermatogenesis
The process of producing sperm.
Spermatogonia
The diploid precursor cells that become sperm.
Spermiogenesis
Transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa during spermatogenesis.
Sterility
A condition of being unable to produce children.
Testes
Male gonads.
Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra.
Varicocele
Distended veins of the spermatic cord.
Vasectomy
A procedure in which a small section of the ductus deferens is cut and sealed to interrupt sperm delivery. It is an effective form of male birth control.
Vasovasostomy
Creation of an artificial opening between ducts to restore fertility to males who have had a vasectomy.