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Cryptorchidism is the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum during fetal development, affecting approximately 3% of full-term male infants. This condition can lead to complications including infertility, increased risk of testicular cancer, and psychological impacts if left untreated.
Normal testicular descent occurs in two phases: the transabdominal phase (controlled by insulin-like factor 3) and the inguinoscrotal phase (mediated by androgens and calcitonin gene-related peptide). Disruption in hormonal signaling, mechanical factors, or anatomical abnormalities can result in arrested descent, with the testis remaining in the abdomen, inguinal canal, or superficial inguinal pouch.
Diagnosis involves physical examination to locate undescended testes, with imaging studies reserved for cases where testes are non-palpable. Early surgical intervention (orchiopexy) is recommended between 6-18 months of age to optimize fertility potential and reduce malignancy risk, as prolonged exposure to higher body temperatures impairs spermatogenesis and increases the likelihood of malignant transformation.