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Glite Dictionary
🐶 Undescended testicles 🐴 Male with undescended testicles
cryptorchid

cryptorchid

9.9
A male whose one or both testicles are not in the scrotum
  • noun
  • /ˌkrɪpˈtɔrkɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : criptorquido
  • The veterinarian explained that the young dog was cryptorchid, meaning his testicles had not descended into the scrotum.

Examples

  • They quoted me a price of $700 for a cryptorchid neutering of a 14-pound dachshund.

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  • In a recent study, many of the male cats examined were found to be cryptorchid, which can lead to health issues if left untreated.

  • Owners should be aware that a cryptorchid condition requires medical attention for proper management.

Surface Forms

cryptorchid singular
cryptorchids plural

Morphology

cryptorchid = orchid (opaque) = crypt + orchid

The medical combining form '-orchid' means 'testicle', which is not the common meaning of 'orchid' (flower), so the sense is not inferable by learners from the surface parts.

Etymology

Cryptorchid comes from Greek parts crypt- meaning 'hidden' and orchis meaning 'testicle', which is also the root of the flower name orchid. So a cryptorchid is a male animal or person with a testicle that stayed 'hidden' and did not move into the scrotum.