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an undervirilized 46,XY DSD, dorsal part of penis (corpora cavernosa) out-

grows the ventral part (corpora spongiosa and penile urethra), thereby resulting

in chordee.

24. What is cryptorchidism?

Cryptorchidism is defi ned as failure of one or both testis to descend into the

scrotum. The undescended testes may lie anywhere along its route of descent

from abdomen to scrotum or it may be ectopically placed. The prevalence of

cryptorchidism in term newborn boys weighing >2.5 Kg varies between 1.8 %

and 3.8 %. Spontaneous descent of testis occurs in majority of these infants

(50–70 %) by 1–3 months of age, whereas spontaneous descent beyond

6–9 months is rare. The prevalence of cryptorchidism is only approximately

0.8 % at 1 year of age. Cryptorchidism is unilateral in approximately 80 %,

whereas the rest have bilateral undescended testes. The most common site of

undescended testes is high scrotal/pre-scrotal (48 %), followed by superfi cial

inguinal ring (29 %), inguinal canal (22 %), and abdomen (<1 %). Ectopic testes

contribute to <1 % of all cases of cryptorchidism and the sites of ectopic testes

include just above penis (pre-penile), perineum, femoral canal, and intra-

abdominal wall (Fig. 9.8 ).

Normal

High scrotal

Inguinal canal

Abdominal

Fig. 9.8 Common sites of
undescended testes

9 Disorders of Sex Development