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Glite Dictionary
cryptorchism

cryptorchism

9.9
A condition where one or both testicles stay inside the body instead of moving into the scrotum before birth
  • noun
  • /ˌkrɪpˈtɔrkɪzəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : criptorquismo
  • The pediatrician diagnosed the infant with cryptorchism after noticing an undescended testicle during the examination.

Examples

  • Surgery is often recommended to correct cryptorchism in young boys.

  • If left untreated, cryptorchism can increase the risk of infertility and testicular cancer.

  • He was diagnosed with cryptorchism at birth.

  • Many children with cryptorchism may require surgery.

  • The pediatrician diagnosed the infant with cryptorchism after noticing an undescended testicle during the examination.

  • Surgery is often recommended to correct cryptorchism in young boys.

  • If left untreated, cryptorchism can increase the risk of infertility and testicular cancer.

Synonyms

cryptorchidism
vscryptorchism
  • Specialized
1 9.9

One or both testicles do not move down into the scrotum before birth

is the same condition but represents a different written form
cryptorchidy
vscryptorchism
  • Specialized
9.9

A condition in which one or both testicles do not move down into the scrotum before birth

is the same condition but represents a different written form

Surface Forms

cryptorchism singular
cryptorchisms plural

Morphology

cryptorchism = cryptorchid (opaque) = crypt + orch + ism

The term is built from specialised Greek combining forms ('crypt-' 'orch-') plus '-ism', which are not readily interpretable by an average B1 learner, so the medical sense is not derivable from common English vocabulary.

Etymology

The word cryptorchism comes from two Greek parts: crypt- meaning 'hidden', like in cryptic, and -orch- meaning 'testicle', the same root as in orchid because the flower looks like a testicle. So cryptorchism describes a testicle that stays 'hidden' and does not move into the scrotum.