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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffTesticles form in the abdomen during fetal development. During the last couple of months of normal fetal development, the testicles gradually leave the abdomen, pass through a tube-like passageway in the groin (inguinal canal) and descend into the scrotum.
If your son has an undescended testicle, that process was stopped or delayed in some stage of development. Therefore, you won't see or feel a testicle where you would expect it to be in the scrotum.
When to see a doctor
An undescended testicle is typically detected when your baby is examined shortly after birth. If your son has an undescended testicle, ask the doctor how often your son will need to be examined. If the testicle hasn't moved into the scrotum by the time your son is 4 months old, the problem probably won't correct itself. Treating undescended testicle when your son is still a baby may lower the risk of complications later in life, such as infertility and testicular cancer.
Older boys — from infants to preadolescent boys — who have normally descended testicles at birth may appear to be "missing" a testicle later. This condition may indicate:
- A retractile testicle, which moves back and forth between the scrotum and the groin and may be easily guided by hand into the scrotum during a physical examination
- An ascending testicle, or acquired undescended testicle, which has "returned" to the groin and cannot be easily guided by hand into the scrotum
If you notice any changes in your son's genitals or are concerned about his development, talk to your doctor.
- Elder J. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal contents. In: Kliegman R, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders, Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/102535550-2/0/1608/1246.html?tocnode=54484554&fromURL=1246.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50547-8_9817. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
- Hutson JM, et al. Current management of the undescended testicle. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery 2007;16(1):64-70.
- Barthold JS. Undescended testis: Current theories of etiology. Current Opinion in Urology. 2008;18(4):395-400.
- Kelsberg G, et al. Clinical inquiries. When should a child with an undescended testis be referred to a urologist? Journal of Family Practice. 2006;55(4):336-337.
- Cooper, CS. Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2008.
- Esposito C, et al. Management of boys with nonpalpable undescended testis. Nature Clinical Practice Urology. 2008;5(5):252-60.
- Liptak GS. Genital defects. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch265/ch265d.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
