ABOUT VASECTOMY & VASECTOMY REVERSAL
ANATOMY TERMS
The following is a brief glossary of common terms related to vasectomy, vasectomy reversal and related topics.
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The Male Reproductive Anatomy
Here’s a simple diagram that illustrates the primary
elements of the male reproductive system.
A Brief Glossary of Terms
Some of the terms used throughout this site are briefly defined in the following list. Consult your doctor for a complete explanation or clarification.
Allergic Reaction - the itching and hives some men may experience as an allergic reaction to local or general anesthetic.
Antisperm Antibodies - immunological substances that can inhibit sperm movement and function. Produced in response to the sperm absorbed by the body following vasectomy, which is no longer released through ejaculation.
Artificial Insemination - a procedure that involves the placement of relatively large numbers of healthy sperm either at the entrance of the cervix or into a women's uterus, bypassing the cervix, to have direct access to the fallopian tubes.
Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) - new forms of treatment for male and female infertility. Includes sperm retrieval, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and sperm microinjection.
Bladder - a muscular, elastic pouch that serves to store and expel urine.
Chronic Orchialgia - a rarely experienced dull ache in the testicles following vasectomy. This is generally believed to be caused if the epididymis becomes congested with dead sperm and fluid. It usually disappears within six months.
Congestion - a common name for chronic orchialgia.
Ejaculation - the discharge of seminal fluid at the moment of male sexual climax.
Ejaculation, retrograde - seminal discharge into the bladder rather than through the urethra.
Epididymis - tightly coiled, very small tubes covering the back and sides of the testis, where sperm are stored and mature after leaving the testis, and are transported to the vas deferens.
Epididymitis - local inflammation, pain and/or swelling of the epididymis that occurs in the larger tube behind the testicle, connected to the vas. The application of heat and the use of anti-inflammatory medication usually clear this uncommon condition within a week.
Erectile Dysfunction - the inability for a sexually active male to obtain and sustain an erection for sexual purposes. Also called impotence.
Erection - state of male arousal in which the penis fills with blood, becomes turgid and hard.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - a pituitary (gland within the brain) hormone that stimulates the testes to make sperm.
Hematoma - bleeding inside the scrotum that rarely causes painful swelling immediately following a vasectomy. While seldom serious, it should be reported to a physician.
Hematospermia - the presence of blood in a man's ejaculation. Usually it is related to an infection and can be treated with antibiotics.
Hydrocele - a collection of fluid around the testicle that causes a painless swelling, and is common to men in middle age.
Immune Reactions - following vasectomy, the immune system may recognize the absorbed sperm cells as foreign proteins and produce antibodies in response. While many men may experience this immune reaction, current evidence indicates that this reaction is not harmful.
Impotence - also called erectile dysfunction;
a condition of being unable to maintain an
erection and ejaculate.
Infection - if blood collects under the skin following vasectomy, it can become infected, resulting in painful inflammation. Infection of the incision site, or deeper tissue, occurs in less than 5 percent of all cases. Such infections respond favorably to antibiotic treatment, antimicrobial creams and hot baths, usually within a week.
Infertility - partial or complete inability to cause or achieve pregnancy. The male factors are poor or no sperm count, poor sperm motility (movement) often seen with a varicocoele, and infection or obstruction of the vas deferens tube.
Inguinal Area - the abdominal region, common to hernia. Inadvertent blockage of the vas deferens may be the result of prior hernia surgery.
Insemination - semen successfully placed within the uterus, cervix or vagina.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) - an in vitro fertilization procedure that requires the direct injection of a single sperm into an ovum to conceive.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - a treatment for infertility in which a woman’s egg and a suspension of sperm are incubated together in a culture dish (test tube), wherein fertilization occurs outside the female body. Once embryos are formed, they are placed back into the woman’s uterus.
Libido - sexual desire.
Long-term Testicular Pain - postoperative testicular pain lasting longer than three months. Persistent testicular discomfort is rare. This uncommon complication may be the result of pinched nerves, and a minor surgical procedure that blocks the nerves in the sperm cord can relieve severe cases.
MESA - a general term usually referring to Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration; see Sperm Aspiration.
Microsurgery - surgery using optical magnification provided by an operating microscope.
Microsurgical Fertilization - a procedure used to facilitate sperm penetration into the oocyte (the female egg); fertilization takes place under the microscope.
Motility - movement of the sperm. Less motility means less chance of fertility.
Multiple Semen Analysis - the collection of at least two semen examples on separate days to examine the semen and sperm for various factors, such as semen volume, consistency and pH; and the sperm count, motility and morphology (shape).
No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) - a procedure which utilizes special instruments to puncture the scrotal skin and draw the vas out to allow it to be cut and tied. There is very little bleeding in this less invasive method of vasectomy, and no stitches are necessary. Less pain and fewer complications are associated with No-Scalpel Vasectomy.
Oligospermia - abnormally low numbers of sperm production.
Orchialgia - surgical removal of one or both of the testicles.
Orchitis - painful inflammation or swelling of the testicle.
Postoperative Pain - some degree of scrotal pain or ache is normal following a vasectomy. The use of acetaminophen (Tylenol), with or without codeine, frequently is recommended over aspirin, which can cause bleeding. Painful discomfort normally disappears within a day or two, while a slight ache may remain slightly longer.
Premature Ejaculation (PE) - the inability to maintain an erection long enough for mutual satisfaction. Premature ejaculation is divided into primary and secondary forms.
Priapism - persistent erection of the penis, usually accompanied by tenderness and pain.
Prostatalgia - pain in the prostate gland.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) - an antigen made by the prostate gland and found in the blood; may indicate cancer in the prostate gland.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test - a blood test used to help detect prostate cancer by measuring a substance called prostate-specific antigen produced by the prostate. PSA is frequently elevated in prostate cancer and can be the first sign of this illness.
Prostate Gland - located below the bladder, the gland that contributes to seminal secretions and where the ejaculatory ducts, the vas deferens and the urethra join.
Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland.
Prostate and Testicular Cancer - there is no known increased risk of testicular cancer following vasectomy. However, increased levels of testosterone over the long term are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. While experts are not agreed to the precise association between prostate cancer before and after vasectomy, physicians agree that all men over the age of 50 should have regular prostate examinations and PSA blood testing.
Recanalization - spontaneous rejoining of the severed vas connection through the scar tissue. This can be detected by semen testing at regular intervals.
Scrotal Support - a device, such as an athletic supporter, worn after vasectomy reversal to decrease swelling and pain.
Scrotum - the sac that contains the testicles, epididymis and vas deferens.
Semen - the combination of sperm and glandular fluid released by the urethra when a man ejaculates; normally a mixture of less than 1 percent sperm and 99 percent seminal fluid.
Seminal Vesicle - a gland that produces a component of seminal secretions, the fluid that is ejaculated by a man at sexual climax. The fluid transports and nourishes the sperm.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) - infection that is most commonly spread through sexual intercourse and other intimate sexual and genital contact.
Sperm Aspiration - a general term usually referring to Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA), a surgical procedure whereby live sperm are attempted to be extracted from the epididymis and preserved for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). MESA may considered for men when the normal reproductive tract is blocked. Done under a microscope, the surgery is comparatively safe, but costly.
Sperm Banking - the process of collecting and preserving sperm for possible future use. Typically, sperm samples are frozen in liquid nitrogen and can be stored for extended periods before thawing and used in assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilization. Normally, there is a continuing cost for the storage service.
Sperm Disorders - problems with the production and maturation of sperm; a cause of male infertility. Sperm may be immature, abnormally shaped or unable to move properly.
Sperm Granulomas - a small and usually painless lump that is uncommon, and caused by sperm leakage from the testicular cut end of the vas. This does not pose a danger and usually resolves over time. Rarely, the immune system responds to sperm leakage with an inflammatory reaction. This reaction frequently resolves with the use of anti-inflammatory medication.
Sterility - the physical inability to reproduce due to infertility.
Suture - the material (thread) used during vasectomy and vasectomy reversal surgery.
Testes - located in the scrotum, the male reproductive glands that produce sperm.
Testicle - one of two male reproductive glands that is the site of sperm and male hormone (testosterone) production. Both testicles (or testes) lie within the scrotum.
Testicular Cancer - cancer that develops in a testicle.
Testosterone - the sex hormone produced by the male sex glands, which stimulates and controls the development of the reproductive organs, as well as male characteristics, including body and facial hair, low voice and muscle growth.
Tubal Ligation - female sterilization surgery where the uterine tubes are cut and closed by ligation or various mechanical devices. A more significant surgery than male sterilization (vasectomy) and done under general anesthetic.
Urethra - the passageway running from the bladder to the penis, which carries urine and semen outside the body.
Urology - a medical specialty for the diagnosis, treatment and surgical care of problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Urology covers diagnosis and treatment for both adults and children. A urologist is a medical doctor with specialized surgical training in these areas.
Varicocoele - a dilation of the veins draining blood from the testicle back to the body. This increases blood and heat around the testicle, causing injury to the sperm. A varicocoele can be treated with surgery.
Varicocele Embolization - nonsurgical, outpatient procedure in which the varicocele is occluded or "closed off" with a balloon catheter or vessel-hardening (sclerosing) solution.
Varicocelectomy - surgical correction of a varicocele.
Vas Deferens - the two muscular tubes that carry sperm from the testicle and epididymis to the urinary tract and out the urethra. Each tube is referred to as a Vas. Together, they are called Vasa.
Vas Remnant - the length of the vas deferens from the epididymis to the site of the vasectomy.
Vasectomy - a surgical procedure that produces infertility by blocking the transport of sperm from the epididymis to the urethra via the vas deferens.
Vasoepididymostomy - a surgical procedure that reverses vasectomy by connecting the vas deferens to the epididymis to bypass obstruction in the epididymis.
Vasovasostomy - conventional vasectomy reversal. A surgical procedure to restore fertility by reconnecting the ends of vas deferens that were severed when vasectomy was performed.
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