Author: Jay Patterson

Urology is the branch of medicine concerned with the urinary tract of both sexes and genital tract of the human male. This site contains information on the anatomy, physiology and disorders or dysfunctions of the male urogenital system, subjects relating to specific parts of the male reproductive system such as the prostate, penis or testicles and that all important androgen, testosterone. Development Men and women are different from the get-go. The genetic (chromosomal) differentiator of an embryo, a pair of sex chromosomes, can be either XX or XY. Males result from the XY configuration. The differentiation of the primitive gonads are…

Testosterone is the major steroidal hormone produced by the interstitial cells of Leydig in the testes. It is also produced in lesser amounts by the adrenal gland near the kidneys. Over 95% of testosterone is produced in the testes where it is necessary to spermatogenesis. Systemically, androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT) are involved in sexual differentiation, deveopment of seconday sex characteristics, anabolic metabolism and gene regulation, and male pattern baldness, and behavior. Biosynthesis The immediate precursor of gonadal steroids is cholesterol. LH promotes the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. The mechanism by which LH stimulates this conversion is…

Perspiration or sweating is the body’s way to deal with the heat generated from exercise or heat in the environment. As water evaporates on the surface of the skin, heat is lost to the environment. Body water is routinely lost via perspiration and by the humidification of the air that enters and leaves the lungs. Some water is lost in the voiding of wastes via the urine and feces as well. The average adult looses about 0.7 L of sweat/day but sweat losses can be as much as 2.5 L per hour. Hot, dry climates, exercise, and fever increase water…

The penis is the male sex organ and serves as a passageway for urine. It consists of three cylindrical masses of erectile tissues and the urethra surrounded by a loose layer of skin. Two paired, copus cavernosa of the penis lie dorsally while one ventrally-located corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra. The corpus spongiosum expands at the terminal end to form the glans penis. These erectile tissues are composed of venous spaces lined with epithelial cells separated by connective tissue and smooth muscle cells. Most of the penile urethra is lined with pseudostratified epithelium, but in the glans it becomes stratified…

An essential element of a healthy lifestyle is a well-balanced diet. By taking diet supplements, such as vitamins, and by avoiding foods that are high in fat and sugar a person will typically be able to reduce the chances of acquiring certain health risks. The USDA food pyramid (shown below) is a worthy item to follow, detailing the daily recommended servings of typical foods. In order to make a quick determination as to one’s appropriate weight level, view the BMI Calculator. As a comparison of the ratio of height to weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) is considered a standard for…

Muscle is an excitable tissue, meaning that it can be stimulated mechanically, chemically or electrically to produce an action potential. An action potential is an electrical change across a cell membrane due to changes in the conduction of ions across the membrane. Nervous tissue is also an excitable tissue. Muscle cells contain a contractile mechanism that is activated by the action potential. About 40% of the body is skeletal muscle, add another 5-10 % for cardiac and smooth muscle. Contraction by a whole muscle Isometric versus Isotonic Isotonic contractions are those when the tension on a muscle remains constant but…

Welcome to JockRash! Here, you will find information on staying in shape, eating healthly, and living a longer, happier life. Of course, there is also information on the fungal infection known as jock rash. For your convenience, we have divided the material into four sections: exercise, nutrition, hygiene, and physiology. Exercise is the method by which a person maintains a fitness level. This can be through a job or through a separate exercise routine. In industrialized countries where many jobs are sedentary, a healthy lifestyle must include regular exercise. There are two basic modes of exercise: aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic exercise entails the constant consumption…

Before starting any exercise program, talk with your doctor. You might also consult a fitness expert who can give you the how-to pointers on avoiding muscle strain and injury for your chosen sport. Weight Training Weight training serves as the archetype of anaerobic exercise. Intended to increase muscular strength, as opposed to cardiovascular endurance, this form of exercise is immensely popular within the United States and is even an Olympic sport. Weight training is solid method for preventing muscle atrophy, especially in women. In particular, studies on women’s bones have shown that weight training can reduce the occurance or severity…

Lower Body Stretches for Runners Building Effective Flexibility for Outdoor RunningAn outdoor alternative to indoor cardio machine sessions is the always reliable run, but remember that for the lower body, impact from natural and man-made surfaces requires some pre-run preparation in the form of a stretching session. In fact, there are several benefits that can derive from a targeted stretch to the lower body muscles: increased physical efficiency and performance; decreased risk of injury; increased blood supply and nutrients to your joints; increased neuromuscular coordination; reduced muscular soreness and stiffness; better muscular balance and posture, and less risk of lower-back…

Training Arms, Chest, Shoulders and Abs in Your Hotel Room While travel often stresses the upper body areas, you can recuperate and reinvigorate with these natural strength moves right in your hotel suite. Anyone traveling nowadays knows about the extra stress to upper body areas that most journeys involve. A day on the road sees you pulling suitcases, or carrying heavy briefcases or laptops on your shoulder. Then there are the periods spent in hunched or limited positions on planes, trains, or the highway. Often, this combination of demanding movement, along with the hours of immobility, can only be addressed…