Glossary

Anesthesia: A substance that prevents pain from being felt, given before an operation.

Anus: The opening of the rectum where solid waste leaves the body.

Bladder: The muscular bag in the lower abdomen where urine is stored.

Catheter: A tube inserted through the penis to the bladder in order to drain urine from the body.

Cystoscope: A tube-like instrument used to view the interior of the bladder.

Ejaculation: Discharging semen from the penis during sexual climax.

Gland: An organ that makes and releases substances to other parts of the body.

Hormone: A substance that stimulates the function of a gland.

Impotent: Unable to have an erection.

Incontinence: The inability to control urination.

Obstruction: A clog or blockage that prevents liquid from flowing easily.

Perineum: The area between the scrotum and the anus.

Rectum: The last part of the large intestine (colon) ending in the anus.

Reproductive system: The bodily systems that allow men and women to have children.

Retropubic: Behind the pubic bone.

Scrotum: The sac of skin that contains the testes.

Semen: The fluid, containing sperm, which comes out of the penis during sexual excitement.

Sterile: Unable to father children.

Suprapubic: Above the pubic bone.

Testes: The male reproductive glands where sperm are produced.

Ultrasound: A type of test in which sound waves too high to hear are aimed at a structure to produce an image of it.

Urinary tract: The path that urine takes as it leaves the body. It includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Urination: Discharge of liquid waste from the body.

Urethra: The canal inside the penis that urine passes through as it leaves the body.

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