Cryptorchidism

: A condition in which one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum; also called undescended testicles. Boys who have had cryptorchidism that was not corrected in early childhood are at increased risk for developing cancer of the testicles.

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SYN: cryptorchism.

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crypt·or·chi·dism -kə-.diz-əm also crypt·or·chism -.kiz-əm n a condition in which one or both testes fail to descend normally compare MONORCHIDISM

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n.

the condition in which the testes fail to descend into the scrotum and are retained within the abdomen or inguinal canal. The operation of orchidopexy is necessary to bring the testes into the scrotum before puberty in order to allow subsequent normal development; it is thought that the higher temperature in the abdomen interferes with sperm production.

• cryptorchid adj. n.

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cryp·tor·chi·dism (krip-torґkĭ-diz″əm) a developmental defect characterized by failure of one or both of the testes to descend into the scrotum. Called also cryptorchism and undescended testis.