The word root referring to the primary male sex organ; paired, oval shaped and enclosed in the scrotum
a. oophor b. orchid c. prostat d. salping
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. orchid.
The word root “orchid” refers to the primary male sex organ, the testes. These organs are paired, oval-shaped, and housed in the scrotum. The term “orchid” comes from the Greek word orchis, which means testicle, and it is often used in medical terms relating to the testes, such as “orchitis” (inflammation of the testes) or “orchiectomy” (surgical removal of one or both testes).
The testes are essential for producing sperm and testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. They are located in the scrotum outside the body cavity to maintain a temperature lower than the body’s core temperature, which is crucial for sperm production. The testes consist of seminiferous tubules, where sperm are produced, and interstitial cells, which produce testosterone. Testosterone plays a key role in the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial hair, and muscle development.
In terms of other options:
- a. oophor refers to the ovary, the female reproductive organ responsible for producing eggs.
- c. prostat refers to the prostate gland, which is involved in the production of seminal fluid but is not the primary male sex organ.
- d. salping refers to the fallopian tube, part of the female reproductive system that carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
Thus, “orchid” is specifically the term for the testes, the male gonads responsible for reproductive and hormonal functions.