Video - Testicular and scrotal conditions: Pathology review

The testicles and scrotum are part of the male reproductive system and can be affected by a variety of conditions. Common testicular and scrotal conditions include epididymitis, orchitis, testicular torsion, cryptorchidism, testicular tumor, varicocele, hydrocele, and spermatocele. Epididymitis refers to an inflammation of the epididymis usually caused by a bacterial infection. Orchitis occurs when there is an inflammation of one or both testicles. It is usually caused by mumps infection, but it can also be caused by bacterial infections, such as sexually transmitted infections. Next, there is testicular torsion, which occurs when the spermatic cord that provides blood to the testicle twists, cutting off the blood supply. There is also cryptorchidism, a common male birth defect that occurs when testicles fail to descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum, and often get stuck in the inguinal canal. Next come testicular tumors, which include tumors like germ cell type, such as seminoma. There is also varicocele, which is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in the legs. Finally, we have hydrocele, which is a fluid-filled sac that develops in the scrotum, and spermatocele, which is a cyst that develops in the epididymis, usually containing dead sperm cells.