Fertilisation

The penetration of the egg by the sperm to create a zygote

Fertility

Ability to conceive or reproduce

Fetus

In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after conception to the moment of birth, as different from the earlier embryo

Fibrosis

Formation of fibrous tissue that replaces the normal tissue eg scars

Fine needle aspiration

Using a thin needle to take a small sample of tissue from the body for microscopic examination

Flaccid

Non-erect (soft) state of the penis

Follicle 

The fluid-filled sac on the ovary in which the egg develops

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

A pituitary hormone which maintains sperm production

Galactorrhoea

Lactation not linked with childbirth or nursing

Gastrointestinal tract

An organ that starts from the mouth and finishes at the anus

Gene

The biologic unit of genetic material and inheritance

Gene mutations

An unusual change in the genetic material of a cell

Genetic

Study of genes and inherited characteristics

Geneticist

A doctor who specialises in the study of genetics

Genital System

The biological system which, in males, includes the testicles, the vas deferens, the prostate, and the penis

Genitourinary system

The parts of the body that play a role in reproduction, getting rid of waste products in the form of urine, or both

Germ cell

Testicular cell that divides to produce the immature sperm cells

Germ Cell Tumor

A tumor arising from germ cells. 95% of all testicular tumors are germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors in men are classified as either seminomas or nonseminomas

Gland

An organ of the body that produces a hormone or other body secretion that is used elsewhere in the body

Gleason Score

A grading which indicates the rate of growth of the prostate cancer

Globulin

A family of proteins found in blood, milk and muscle

Gonadotrophic hormones

Hormones that are secreted by the pituitary gland

Gonads

Organs that produce the sex cells (e.g. sperm) and sex hormones (e.g. testosterone)

Gonorrhoea

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection

Gynaecologist

A doctor who specialises in the treatment of women's diseases of the reproductive organs

Gynaecology

The study of functions and diseases of women

Gynaecomastia

Breast development in the male

Haematuria

Blood in the urine

Haemoglobin

Oxygen carrying substance in red blood cells

Histology

The study of cells and tissues at the microscopic level

Histopathology

Study of diseases involving tissue cells

Hodgkin's disease

A malignant disease of the lymph nodes (lymphoma)

Hormone

A substance that circulates through the body in the blood stream and promotes growth, reproduction and general well-being

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone made by chorionic cells (in the fetal part of the placenta).  It is a very similar hormone to LH but it has a longer time of action

Human genome

The entire sequencing of DNA of the human species

Hydrocele

A swelling of (part of) the scrotal pouch because of an increased amount of fluid around the testicle

Hyperlipidaemia

Generic term for conditions where there are high concentrations of lipids in the blood such as cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins

Hyperplasia

The increased production or growth of normal cells in an organ or tissue

Hyperstimulation

Stimulation that is more than normal

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of the prostate gland, usually caused by the growth of too many cells

Hypogonadism

An inability of the testes to produce high enough levels of testosterone (androgen deficiency) and/or sperm (spermatogenesis)

Hypospermatogenesis

Low sperm production within the testis

Hypothalamus

The area of the brain that controls endocrine functions, body temperature, hunger and thirst

Immunobead test

A simple test to detect if sperm antibodies are present in semen and is performed as part of the semen analysis test at specialised Andrology laboratories

Impotence

The failure to get or keep an erection

Impotent

Unable to have an erection adequate for sexual intercourse

Incontinence

Uncontrolled leakage of urine

Indolent

Little or no pain/side-effect

Infertility

Failure to achieve a pregnancy within one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse

Inguinal Hernia

Protrusion of the intestines into the scrotum through the inguinal canal

Inguinal orchiectomy

Removal of the testicle through an incision in the groin

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

A form of IVF used to treat male infertility in which a single sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg

Intrauterine insemination

Placement of sperm directly into the womb using a fine catheter

Intravenous

Placing a substance (e.g. drug) directly into the vein

In Vitro Fertilization

A form of assisted reproduction in which sperm collected from the male is mixed with the female partners eggs outside the body

Involuntary muscle

Muscle that cannot be consciously controlled and responds to reflex action

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