Testicular Torsion
- Testicular Torsion Overview
- Testicular Torsion Causes
- Testicular Torsion Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Questions to Ask the Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Testicular Torsion Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
Testicular Torsion Overview
Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency that may result in the loss of the affected testicle if not treated promptly. This is a painful condition caused by the twisting of the spermatic cord, which causes a loss of blood flow to the testicle. Testicular tissue cannot survive without blood flow. Torsion is the most common cause of testicle loss in adolescent males.
Testicular Torsion Causes
The cause of the majority of cases is the bell clapper deformity, an anatomic abnormality that is present in around 12% of males. This anatomical condition allows the spermatic cord to twist more easily, resulting in compromise of the blood supply to the testicle. This can occur spontaneously or may be associated with trauma. There is no way to detect this deformity. In about 40% of men who have this anatomical abnormality, it is present bilaterally (in both testicles).
Next: Testicular Torsion Symptoms »
| Printer-Friendly Format | | | Email to a Friend |
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Men's Health Resources
- Cold & Flu: Are You Prepared?
- Men's Hair Care: What to Buy
- 25 Tips to Control Sweating
- 12 Ways to Prevent the Spread of Viruses
- 10 Surprising Benefits of Treating Depression
- Healthy Home: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic?
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Testicular Torsion
Testicular Pain Overview
Men become very concerned and anxious when they feel pain in their testicles. To better understand the various causes of this symptom, an understanding of basic anatomy and the development of testicles is necessary.
- Before birth, testicles are located in the abdomen (belly). Eventually the testicles migrate down through the abdomen into the scrotum (the outside pouch that contains the testicles). But they remain connected to the abdomen by the spermatic cord, which contains many blood vessels and nerves.
- On the upper, outer, back position of the testicle lies a connected but separate structure called the epididymis, which stores sperm. Normally, the epididymis has a direct connection to the wall of the scrotum. This connection prevents the testicle, which basically hangs on the spermatic cord, from twisting.
Picture of the Male Urinary and Reproductive Structures
...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Testicular Torsion »
Testicular torsion is a true urologic emergency and must be differentiated from other complaints of testicular pain because a delay in diagnosis and management can lead to loss of the testicle.
Featured Topics
Explore 80+ Centers
- Allergy
- Allergy Medications
- Anaphylaxis
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Baby's Health
- Back, Neck, Head Injury
- Bioterrorism, Warfare
- Blood, Lymphatic System
- Bone, Joint, Muscle
- Brain, Nervous System
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Camping
- Cancer, Tumors
- Children's Health
- Cholesterol
- Cold and Flu
- CPR, Choking
- Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises
- Dementia
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diabetic Coma, Insulin Shock
- Digestive System
- Dislocations
- Drowning
- Drug Overdose
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Emotional Wellness
- Endocrine System
- Environmental Injuries
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Exercise, Nutrition
- Eye, Vision
- Fainting
- Fever
- First Aid, Emergency
- First Aid Kits
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Bodies
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Glaucoma
- Headache
- Health, Medical
- Heartburn, GERD, Reflux
- Heart, Blood Vessels
- Heart Attack
- Hepatitis
- Immune System
- Incontinence
- Infections
- Kidneys, Urinary System
- Lung, Airway
- Medications
- Men's Health
- Mental Health, Behavior
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nosebleeds
- Osteoporosis
- Outdoor Living
- Overexposure
- Poisoning
- Procedures
- Psoriasis
- Public Health
- Scuba Diving, Swimming
- Seizures
- Senior Health
- Shock
- Skin, Hair, Nails
- Sleep Disorders
- Social, Family Health
- Sports Injury
- Sprains, Strains
- Statins
- STDs
- Substance Abuse
- Teen Health
- Teeth, Mouth, Oral Health
- Weight Management
- Wilderness Emergencies
- Women's Health
- Wounds
