Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
Medical Careers & Professional Terminology
andrologist: a physician specializing in andrology
andrology: a medical specialty that is responsible for treating genitourinary conditions that are faced by males
reproductive endocrinologist: a physician who has special training in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility
urologist: a physician specializing in urology
urology: a medical specialty that is responsible for treating conditions that affect the urinary tract in males
Diagnostic and Imaging Techniques/Procedures for the Organ System
computerized tomography: series of x-ray images taken to detect bone and joint problems
digital rectal examination: palpation of the prostate with a gloved finger through the wall of the rectum
magnetic resonance imaging: uses strong magnetic field and radio waves to detect problems with the tissue and the nervous system
positron emission tomography: an imaging test that can detect cancer and how far it has spread
prostate-specific antigen: a protein produced by the prostate that can be detected via a blood test; a sudden rise may indicate prostate cancer
transrectal ultrasound: an imaging test that uses sound waves to view the prostate gland
Medical and Surgical Techniques/Procedures Used for the Organ System
ablation: destruction of abnormal or excessive tissue by eroding, vaporization, or melting
artificial insemination: introduction of spermatozoa into the vagina or cervix by artificial means
balanoplasty: surgical repair of the glans penis
circumcision: surgical removal of the prepuce (foreskin)
enucleation: excision of a whole organ or mass without cutting into it
epididymectomy: excision of part or all of an epididymis
HPV vaccine: a vaccine called Gardasil® 9, available for 9 HPV strains; this vaccine assists the immune system in protecting the body against infections and diseases caused by HPV
hydrocelectomy: surgical removal of a fluid-filled sac around the testicle causing scrotal swelling (hydrocele)
no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV): a minimally invasive vasectomy procedure with a shorter recovery time
orchiectomy: removal of part or all of a testis; the most common procedure for diagnosing and treating testicular cancer
orchiotomy: incision into a testis
prostatectomy: excision of all or part of the prostate gland
transurethral incision of the prostate gland: a surgical procedure that widens the urethra where it meets the bladder and prostate
vasectomy: a sterilization procedure in which a small section of the ductus (vas) deferens is removed from the scrotum; this cuts off the path taken by sperm through the ductus deferens
vasovasostomy: vasectomy reversal; creation of an opening within a vas deferens
vesiculectomy: excision of one or both seminal vesicles
Abbreviations Commonly Used with the Male Reproductive System
AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
BPH: benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy
Bx: biopsy
CT: chlamydia
DRE: digital rectal examination
ED: erectile dysfunction
FTA-ABS: fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test
GC: gonococcus
GU: genitourinary
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus
HoLEP: holmium laser enucleation of the prostate gland
HPV: human papillomavirus
HSV: herpes simplex virus
LUTS: lower urinary tract symptoms
NGU: nongonococcal urethritis
NSV: no-scalpel vasectomy
PSA: prostate-specific antigen
PVP: photoselective vaporization of the prostate gland
RP: radical prostatectomy
STD: sexually transmitted disease
STI: sexually transmitted infection
TRUS: transrectal ultrasound
TSE: testicular self-examination
TUIP: transurethral incision of the prostate gland
TUMT: transurethral microwave thermotherapy
TURP: transurethral resection of the prostate gland
VD: venereal disease
Medical Terms Practice
For each card, click the speaker icon to hear the correct pronunciation of the listed term. Practice saying the term to yourself, then attempt to define the term from memory. Click “Turn” to flip the card and see the definition. Use the right and left arrows to toggle through the cards in each set.