Editing Undescended Testicle (section)

== Associated Pathology ==

* '''Testicular Maldevelopment'''
** Histological abnormalities that may be present in UDT include:
**# Delayed disappearance of gonocytes
**# Reduced numbers of adult dark (Ad) spermatogonia
**# Reduced number of germ cells per testicular tubule
**# Carcinoma in situ (CIS)
**# Microlithiasis
** '''The number of spermatogonia''' per tubule is reduced after infancy and '''fails to increase normally with age in the UDT and to a lesser degree in contralateral scrotal testes.'''
*** Ad spermatogonia counts may help define fertility potential
** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Impaired transformation of gonocytes to spermatogonia</span>''' is often present after early infancy in cryptorchid testes.
*** Similar degree of pathology in true ectopic, superficial inguinal pouch, and ascending testes
** The undescended testis is smaller at birth and '''<span style="color:#ff0000">grows less well</span>''' than the scrotal testis, even if spontaneous descent occurs.
*** In an RCT, post-operative testicular growth was superior in boys undergoing orchidopexy at age 9 months vs. age 3 years.
** Some have '''reduced LH and/or testosterone levels during the postnatal surge'''
* '''Anomalies of the Epididymis in Non-Syndromic Cryptorchidism'''
** '''A normal epididymis is the most common finding in boys undergoing orchidopexy for acquired cryptorchidism'''
*** An abnormal ipsilateral epididymis was reported to 11-31% of acquired undescended testes at surgery
** '''Abnormal epididymal anatomic findings include (decreasing order of frequency):'''
**# '''Partial or complete non-fusion between the caput and/or cauda epididymis and the testis'''
**# '''Epididymal elongation and/or looping'''
**# '''Atresia'''
* '''Anomalies of the Processus Vaginalis and Gubernaculum in Non-Syndromic Cryptorchidism'''
** '''Failure of closure of the processus vaginalis and abnormal attachment of the gubernacular remnant are common in association with UDT.'''
** '''Anomalies of the tunica and processus vaginalis in cryptorchidism predispose to development of <span style="color:#ff0000">testicular torsion or clinical hernia</span>''', respectively, in rare cases.
*** Torsion of an UDT can occur at any age and may be confused with an incarcerated inguinal hernia.
* '''Other Testicular Anomalies Associated with UDT:'''
** '''Intra-testicular varicocele'''
** '''Polyorchidism'''
** '''Splenogonadal fusion'''
*** Characterized by continuous or discontinuous fibrous union between splenic tissue and the gonad
** '''Transverse testicular ectopia'''