MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The male and female reproductive systems are responsible for creating
human life. They involve exocrine and endocrine glands which produce male
and female sex cells and lubricating fluid. Reproduction is the mechanism by
which life is sustained. It is the process by which a single cell duplicates its genetic
material allowing an organism to grow and repair itself.
The male reproductive system consists of the testes, vas deferens (vasa deferentia
- plural), prostate gland, seminal vesicles, urethra, and penis. Because the male
reproductive system shares some of its structures with the urinary system it is
sometimes referred to as the urogenital system.
As no medical specialty is concerned exclusively with the male reproductive system
most conditions are treated by a urologist.
TESTES
 Are oval shaped glands
 Produce sperm (spermatozoa, gametes)
 Secrete the hormone testosterone which has a number of effects on the body
including sexual behaviour, facial hair and deepening of the voice.
 Are called gonads
Word root Combining form
Orch
orch/i, orch/o, orchid/o
Meaning
Testis, male reproductive organ which produces
spermatozoa
Activity 1
Write the meaning of
1. orchialgia _____________________________________________________
2. orchiocele _____________________________________________________
3. orchiopexy/orchidopexy __________________________________________
Build a word that means
4. removal of a testicle _____________________________________________
SCROTUM
 Is a pouch of loose skin
 Holds the testes
 Is divided by an internal septum into two sacs each containing 1 testis
 Controls the temperature of the testes by hanging outside the body
Word root
Combining form
Meaning
Scrot
Scrot/o
Pouch which contains the testicles
Activity 2
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Build a word which means
1. removal of the scrotum ___________________________________________
Hydrocele – a swelling/protrusion /hernia due to the accumulation of fluid within the
testis
Varicocele - a swelling/protrusion /hernia of veins of the spermatic cords within the
testis. These need to be removed as they lead to pain and infertility.
EPIDIDYMIS
 Are two coiled ducts which lie along the posterior border of the testes
 Are the site of sperm maturation
 Store spermatozoa and propel them towards the urethra during ejaculation
Word root
Combining form
Epididym
Epididym/o
Meaning
Two coiled tubes which form the first part of the
duct system of the testis
Activity 3
Build words which mean
1. inflammation of the epididymis _______________________________________
2. removal of the epididymis ___________________________________________
VAS DEFERENS
 The tail of the epididymis and joins the urethra
Word root
Combining form
Meaning
Vas
Vas/o
Main secretory duct of testis
Activity 4
Write the meaning of
1. vasectomy __________________________________________________
2. vasoepididymostomy __________________________________________
SPERMATOZOA or Sperm
 Are produced at a rate of about a million a day
 Once ejaculate live for about 48 hours within the female reproductive tract
 Are composed of a head, a middle piece and a tail
SEMINAL VESICLES
 Are pouch like structures lying at the base of the bladder
 Secrete about 60% of semen
Word root
Vesicul
Combining form Meaning
Pouches lying near the base of the bladder which
Vesicul/o
secrete a nutrient fluid which is a component of semen
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PROSTATE
 Is a single doughnut shaped organ
 Surrounds the urethra as it leaves the bladder
 Secretes about 13% of semen
Word root
Combining form
Prostat
Prostat/o
Meaning
The prostrate gland that surrounds the neck of the
bladder
Activity 5
Write the meaning of
1. prostatocystitis __________________________________________________
2. prostatomegaly __________________________________________________
SEMEN
 Is a mixture a sperm and secretions of the seminal vesicles and prostate
PENIS
 Is used to introduce sperm into the vagina
 Glans (head) covered with foreskin or prepuce
 Is composed of sponge like tissue and during sexual stimulation the blood enters the
sinuses and an erection results
 During ejaculation the smooth muscle at the base of the bladder is closed and urine
may not be expelled
 Semen does not enter the urine and urine is not expelled during ejaculation
Word root
Combining form
Meaning
Phall
Phall/o
Balan
Balan/o
Penis
Sensitive, swollen end of the penis, known as the
glans penis
Activity 6
Build words which mean
1. inflammation of the penis ____________________________________________
2. pertaining to the penis ______________________________________________
3. removal of the penis _______________________________________________
4. inflammation of the glans penis _______________________________________
An abnormally enlarged penis is known as a megalopenis or megalophallus. Several
abnormalities of the penis have been noted at birth. The urethra sometimes opens onto
the dorsal side of the penis – epispadia. Sometimes the urethra opens onto the
posterior surface – hypospadia.
The swelling of the penis during erotic stimulation is known as tumescence. The
subsidence of the swelling is detumescence.
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The failure to produce an erection and perform the sexual act is known as impotence.
This condition is often psychological, but can arise from lesions within the reproductive
tract or nervous system.
PERINEUM
 Is the area of skin between the anus and the scrotum
Word root
Meaning
Coitus
To come together
Intercourse
Run between
Copulation
Bind together
ABBREVIATIONS:
AIDS
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
HIV
human immunodeficiency virus
STD
Sexually Transmitted Disease
TUR (TURP)
transurethral resection
(of the prostate)
TERMS AND WORD PARTS:
balan/o
glans penis (head of the penis)
crypt/o
hidden
deferens
excretory duct of the testes (vas deferens)
genit/o
genitals
orchid/o
testis
-pexy
surgical fixation
scrotum
the pouch containing the testes
vas/o
a vessel or duct (i.e. vas deferens)
vesicul/o
seminal vessel
CONDITIONS AND TERMS:
anorchism
congenital absence of one or both testes
balanitis
inflammation of the glans penis
cryptorchidism) testes failed to descend into scrotum (hidden
testes)
acute inflammation of testes and associated epididymis
cryptorchism
epididymitis
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orchitis
soft painless swelling in the scrotum caused by the space around
the testes filled with fluid
inflammation of the testes
prostate cancer
malignant growth in the outer zone of the prostate gland
prostatitis
inflammation of the prostate gland
hydrocele
PROCEDURES:
circumcision
surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis
orchidectomy
removal of the testes
orchidopexy
fixation of testes in scrotum
prostatectomy (TURP)
transurethral resection of the prostate gland
sterilisation
male: ligation of vas deferens (vasectomy, vasoligation)
vasoligation
tying of vas deferens (sterilisation)
vasectomy
surgical excision of a segment of the vas deferens
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