Chapter 21: Glossary

Chapter 21: Glossary

Male Genitalia

Alopecia Alopecia is hair loss.

Bulbourethral glands The bulbourethral glands, pea-sized glands located just below the prostate, secrete an alkaline substance that protects sperm by neutralizing the acidic environment of the vagina.

Chancre A chancre, a small papular lesion with ulcerated edges, is an abnormal finding that may indicate syphilis infection.

Chancroid A chancroid is a tender, ulcerated papular lesion with a red halo, surrounding edema, and friable base. This is an abnormal finding that may indicate haemophilus ducreyi infection.

Condyloma acuminatum Condyloma acuminatum, or genital warts, appears as pinhead papules or cauliflower groupings of filiform skin-colored, pink, or red lesions. This is an abnormal finding that may indicate the presence of HPV infection.

Cryptorchidism Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testes are undescended.

Direct inguinal hernia A direct inguinal hernia is an abnormal oval swelling found in the groin area that presents as an aching or dragging sensation.

Ductus (vas) deferens The vas deferens is part of the epididymis and transports sperm from the testis to the ejaculatory duct and prostatic urethra.

Ejaculatory ducts The ejaculatory ducts connect the prostate gland to the urethra and eject sperm into the prostatic urethra just prior to ejaculation.

Epididymis The epididymis is where sperm mature and develop motility.

Epispadias Epispadias is an abnormal curvature of the penis resulting in the urethral meatus opening dorsally on the glans penis.

Glans penis The glans penis is the distal end of the penis.

Hydrocele A hydrocele is a large pear-sized mass of the scrotum created by the accumulation of fluid between the two layers of the tunica vaginalis.

Hypospadias Hypospadias is an abnormal condition in which the urethral meatus opening is on the ventral surface of the glans penis.

Indirect inguinal hernia An indirect inguinal hernia is palpated at the inguinal ring. It may feel like a lump or fullness in the groin and may be associated with coughing or crying.

Microphallus Microphallus, a normally formed penis that is small in size, is an abnormal finding that may be due to pituitary or hypothalamus disorders.

Orchitis Orchitis, a condition in which an acute, painful swelling of the testicle occurs, is frequently associated with mumps, mononucleosis, varicella, or coxsackievirus B infections.

Penis The penis is the male organ of copulation.

Phimosis In phimosis, a condition that occurs in uncircumcised males, the foreskin is unusually long and cannot be retracted over the glans penis.

Prepuce The prepuce, also known as the foreskin, covers the glans penis.

Priapism Priapism, a continuous and pathological erection of the penis, is an abnormal finding and is not related to sexual desire.

Scrotum The scrotum contains the testes.

Seminal vesicles The seminal vesicles are two pouches located posterior to and at the base of the bladder that produce 60% of the volume of the semen.

Spermatic cord The spermatic cord suspends the testicles.

Spermatocele A spermatocele is a cystic mass on the superior testis or epididymis that is created by the formation of sperm-filled cysts.

Spermatogenesis Spermatogenesis is the production of sperm by the testes.

Testes The testes are two oval-shaped glands contained within the scrotal sac that are responsible for sperm production.

Urethra The urethra, a tube that transports semen and urine, passes through the prostate gland, penis, and opening at the tip of the glans penis.

Varicocele A varicocele is a scrotal mass with a bluish discoloration formed by dilated veins in the spermatic cord.