Glossary of terms used on this site
There are 324 entries in this glossary.R
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Radial rigidity |
Rigidity across the width or radius of the penis. |
| Radiation |
|
| Radiation therapy |
The use of high-energy rays to damage cancer cells, stopping them from growing and dividing. Like surgery, radiation therapy is a local treatment that affects cancer cells only in the treated area. |
| Radical prostatectomy |
A surgery procedure that removes the entire prostate gland plus some surrounding tissue. During the procedure the pelvic lymph nodes may also be sampled for a biopsy. The goal is to remove the cancer entirely and prevent its spread to other parts of the body. |
| Randomized |
The process of assigning patients to different forms of treatment in a research study in a random manner. |
| Red blood cells |
The cells in the blood that carry oxygen to the tissues. |
| REM (rapid eye movement) |
A phase in the sleep cycle. Nocturnal erections occur during this phase of sleep. |
| Resection |
Surgical removal of part of an organ. |
| Resistance |
Opposition to blood flow out of the penis. |
| Respiratory |
Having to do with respiration, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. From the Latin re- (again) + spirare (to breathe) = to breathe again. |
| Retrograde ejaculation |
A condition that occurs when, at orgasm, the ejaculate is forced back into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out the end of the penis. |
| Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection |
A procedure to remove lymph nodes adjacent to the site of testicular or prostate cancer. |
| Rheumatologist |
A doctor that specializes in disorders of the blood, blood vessels and connective tissues. |
| Risk |
The chance or probability that a particular event will or will not happen. |
| Risk factor |
Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. |