Polyorchidism
Encyclopedia
Polyorchidism is the incidence of more than two
testes. It is a very rare congenital disorder
, with fewer than 100 cases reported in medical literature. The most common form is triorchidism, or tritestes, where three testes are present. The condition is usually asymptomatic
. A man who has polyorchidism is known as a polyorchid.
Polyorchidism occurs in several forms:
Type 2 is the most common form of polyorchidism, and types 2 and 3 together account for more than 90% of cases. Except in type 1, the supernumerary testis is usually reproductively functional. The supernumerary testis is most often found in the left scrotal sac.
Polyorchidism is generally diagnosed via an ultrasound
examination of the testicles.
Supernumerary body part
Supernumerary body parts are most commonly a congenital disorder involving the growth of an additional part of the body and a deviation from the body plan. Body parts may be easily visible or hidden away, such as internal organs....
testes. It is a very rare congenital disorder
Congenital disorder
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, or that develops during the first month of life , regardless of causation...
, with fewer than 100 cases reported in medical literature. The most common form is triorchidism, or tritestes, where three testes are present. The condition is usually asymptomatic
Asymptomatic
In medicine, a disease is considered asymptomatic if a patient is a carrier for a disease or infection but experiences no symptoms. A condition might be asymptomatic if it fails to show the noticeable symptoms with which it is usually associated. Asymptomatic infections are also called subclinical...
. A man who has polyorchidism is known as a polyorchid.
Polyorchidism occurs in several forms:
- Type 1: The supernumerary testis lacks an epididymisEpididymisThe epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
and vas deferensVas deferensThe vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, , is part of the male anatomy of many vertebrates; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
and has no connection to the other testes. - Type 2: The supernumerary testis shares the epididymisEpididymisThe epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
and the vas deferensVas deferensThe vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, , is part of the male anatomy of many vertebrates; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
of the other testes. - Type 3: The supernumerary testis has its own epididymisEpididymisThe epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
and shares a vas deferensVas deferensThe vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, , is part of the male anatomy of many vertebrates; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
. - Type 4: Complete duplication of the testis, epididymisEpididymisThe epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
and vas deferensVas deferensThe vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, , is part of the male anatomy of many vertebrates; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
.
Type 2 is the most common form of polyorchidism, and types 2 and 3 together account for more than 90% of cases. Except in type 1, the supernumerary testis is usually reproductively functional. The supernumerary testis is most often found in the left scrotal sac.
Polyorchidism is generally diagnosed via an ultrasound
Medical ultrasonography
Diagnostic sonography is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used for visualizing subcutaneous body structures including tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs for possible pathology or lesions...
examination of the testicles.