Overview
Clinical Meaning
Cryptorchidism (undescended testis) is the failure of one or both testes to descend from the retroperitoneal space through the inguinal canal into the scrotum.
PNP-PC
PNP-PC
Cryptorchidism (undescended testis) is the failure of one or both testes to descend from the retroperitoneal space through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. Testicular descent occurs in two phases: transabdominal (weeks 10-15, guided by insulin-like factor 3/INSL3 from Leydig cells) and inguinoscrotal (weeks 25-35, dependent on androgens and the gubernaculum). The undescended testis is exposed to the higher core body temperature (37°C vs 33°C in scrotum), which impairs spermatogenesis (requires cooler temperature) and increases malignant transformation risk. Germ cell degeneration begins by age 6 months in undescended testes, and by 1-2 years, histological changes include decreased germ cells, Leydig cell hyperplasia, and delayed maturation. The risk of testicular cancer is 4-8x higher in undescended testes, with seminoma being the most common malignancy.
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