- Varicocele
- Elongation and enlargement of the veins of the pampiniform plexus (the network of veins leaving the testis which join to form the testicular vein). Appears bluish through the scrotum and feels like a bag of worms. Can cause pain or discomfort.
* * *A condition manifested by abnormal dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord, caused by incompetent valves in the internal spermatic vein and resulting in impaired drainage of blood into the spermatic cord veins when the patient assumes the upright position. SYN: pampinocele. [varico- + G. kele, tumor, hernia]- ovarian v. a varicose condition of the pampiniform plexus in the broad ligament of the uterus. SYN: tubo- ovarian v., utero- ovarian v..- symptomatic v. a v. caused by obstruction of the internal spermatic vein, usually at the level of the renal vein and usually due to invasive renal cell carcinoma, characterized by failure of the dilated veins in the spermatic cord to empty when the patient assumes a recumbent position.
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var·i·co·cele 'var-i-kō-.sēl n a varicose enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord producing a soft compressible tumor mass in the scrotum* * *
n.a collection of dilated veins in the spermatic cord, more commonly affecting the left side of the scrotum than the right. It usually produces no symptoms apart from occasional aching discomfort. In some cases varicocele is associated with a poor sperm count (see oligospermia) sufficient to cause infertility. Surgical correction or radiological embolization of the varicocele in such patients (varicocelectomy) usually results in a considerable improvement in the quality and motility of the sperm, but may or may not improve the number of pregnancies and live births thereafter.* * *
var·i·co·cele (varґĭ-ko-sēl″) [varico- + -cele1] 1 .a condition in males characterized by varicosity of the veins of the pampiniform plexus, forming a swelling that feels like a “bag of worms;†it appears bluish through the skin of the scrotum and is accompanied by a constant pulling, dragging, or dull pain in the scrotum. Since the presence of excess blood in the scrotum increases temperature, the condition is thought to be linked to male factor infertility. 2. a similar condition in females, with varicosity of the veins of the broad ligament of the uterus.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
