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The undescended testicle is the most
common birth abnormality involving the male genitalia.
Any testicle that does not occupy a dependent scrotal
position at birth is undescended.
Incidence of Undescended Testes
Age Incidence
Premature Infant 10% Full-term Infant
3% 6 Months 0.8% Puberty 0.8%
The statistics above demonstrate that
some undescended testes will descend during the first
few months of life, and the diagnosis can be made with
confidence by re-examination at 6 months of age. A retractile
testicle represents a "normally" descended testicle
that is pulled out of the scrotum by an overactive cremasteric
muscle reflex. This commonly occurs between the ages of
2-7 in boys and can be confused with a truly undescended
testicle. Proper physical exam allows accurate diagnosis
and further treatment is not required for retractile testes.
Problems Associated with Undescended
Testes
- Infertility
- Inguinal hernia
- Testicular tumor
- Psychological/cosmetic
- Injury/torsion (twisting) Scrotal
repositioning of the testicle will maximize the future
development of the undescended testicle and help improve
the management of all of the above potential problems.
Where are Undescended Testes located?
Position of Testicle
- High scrotal (gliding)
- Superficial inguinal region
- Inguinal canal
- Intra-abdominal
- Ectopic (outside line of normal
descent)
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