Related articles: Cryptorchidism
Definition
Cryptorchidism is the failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotal sac. This anomaly is common in children.
Normally, the beginning of the descent of the testicles into the scrotal area occurs during fetal life (after about 28 weeks of gestation), thanks to the intervention of hormonal, physical and environmental stimuli.
Cryptorchidism may be due to the presence of an anatomical obstacle to the progression of the testicle in the scrotum. In other cases, a production defect of gonadotropins or androgen activity may occur. The testicle felt can stop in the inguinal canal, in the abdominal cavity or in the retroperitoneum (true cryptorchidism); sometimes it deviates and is outside the normal physiological path (ectopic cryptorchidism).
Cryptorchidism is accompanied by an altered testicular functioning with hypofertility and an increased risk of developing a testicular tumor in adulthood. For this reason, if the testicle is deemed not to descend spontaneously within the first year of life, it is necessary to resort to medical and / or surgical therapy.
Possible Causes * of Cryptorchidism
- Fanconi anemia
- Male hypogonadism
- Ichthyosis
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Trisomy 13
