The main functions of the testes, they are normal size and possible pathology

Male testicles – steam sex gland, the main function of which is the production of sex hormones and the formation of sperm. Their normal size is a relative concept, but is considered to be the normal length 4-6 cm, width 2-3 cm and a volume of 12 to 30 cubic centimeters.

Testes are in the scrotum, one (left), as a rule, lower than the other, before puberty they are of smaller size, and at puberty the size increases. They perform the function of reproduction exocrine and endocrine way, their removal makes a man infertile.

Options norm and deviations from its limits

It is believed that the structure of the egg, or rather its value, which directly shows the reproductive function in men. But more importantly and normal size and health of the genitals. If you suspect a disease if there is burning pain, a hernia, or one testicle is much lower than the other, men need to visit urologist because the consequences can be serious.

The symptoms, when it is necessary to go to the doctor:

• Increase in the size of one or both testicles, any much below the other.
• Pull left testicle (or right), aching, burning.
• Hernia.
• Seal, a lump in the scrotum.

If the testicles of boys or men small, it indicates pathology, the reduction of their functions, violation of the structure and the impact of negative factors:

• The use of drugs.
• Intake of anabolic steroids.
• Varicocele (blood flow disturbances).

In the case where one testicle smaller than the other, is not the norm and speaks about the decline of reproductive functions in the body, but with a slight difference to the man to not panic – this is normal.

Large testicles, excessively increased in size, cannot be called the norm, which often indicates inflammation of the testicle or the following pathologies, the consequences of which are serious:

• Torsion.
• Epididymitis.
• Varicocele.
• A hydrocele.

Cancer causes an increase in the sexual glands, reduction of its functions. If the baby is too enlarged testicles in size, this may indicate edema. In the differential diagnosis ruled out a hernia (ultrasound of the testicles), one - or bilateral.

Common pathological conditions

Sometimes the glands change their size, consistency, one descends below the other, a sense of burning, is a lump. This is not the norm and require serious medical intervention.

Small sex gland

Hypoplasia of the testis – pathology in the structure of the congenital nature when they are greatly reduced in size (less than 4 cm). The body does not produce enough hormones, its function is low, spermatogenesis slows down. Background to pathology in the structure are laid inthe embryonic period due to chromosomal disorders or under the influence of external negative factors.

Hypoplasia of the testes may be single or double - sided if pathology affected only one cancer, the second increases the size, as it accounts for a double load. A decrease in hormone levels, but the changes in reproductive functions are sometimes unnoticed.

Hypoplasia of the testicles from both sides accompanied by a decrease in the level of testosterone, reproductive function is broken. Pathology sometimes accompanied by Klinefelter syndrome (extra X chromosome). Treatment is the use of hormone therapy, and the size is corrected by prosthetics, a simple massage of the testicles will not help.

"The third wheel"

Polyorchism characterized by the presence of the "extra" third or fourth egg, is almost always underdeveloped and located in the inguinal canal, the scrotum or the abdominal cavity. The symptoms of the pathology does not manifest itself, and polyorchism detected by chance.

Related article: Androgyny — what is it?

Such a structure is detected with ultrasound of the testicles, scrotum, abdominal cavity and also with the use of CT and MRI. In some cases, if you suspect polyorchism performed laparoscopically, it is also important to exclude spermatocele and tumors in the scrotum. Polyorchism should be treated, as often the "extra detail" is not the norm and undergoes malignant degeneration. Surgical intervention (removal), polyorchism cannot be eliminated by any conservative methods.

The lack of gonads

Anarchism – the absence of sex glands in men, and changed the structure of the fully observed throughout the reproductive system. Penis and scrotum are underdeveloped, figure evnuhoidizma, psychosexual orientation is weak. Anarchism develops as a result of chromosomal changes during intrauterine development (6-10 week) or in case of total loss of eggs at 20 weeks. In the latter case, the origin is still not clear, it is assumed that anarchism may develop intoxication, infectious diseases, poor nutrition or hormonal shifts in the mother. Anarchism must be differentiated from bilateral (abdominal) cryptorchidism.

Pathology in the structure ‒ anarchism ‒ diagnosed immediately after birth, there are difficulties in determining the sex of the child. Treatment consists of hormone replacement therapy and conducting cosmetic surgery. When diagnosed anarchism" in some cases, justified the sex-change operation and correction of the hormonal status of the female type.

Important. The symptoms of spontaneous severe pain should not be ignored, they say that require immediate hospitalization andsurgery. The pain (or burning) signals the torsion, hydrocele, hernia, varicocele, and tumors.

Clinical symptom is pain

Symptoms may be chronic. The following describes the pathological condition, whose main symptom is the pain:

• Injury. Any injury in the scrotum provokes swelling of the testicle, severe pain (burning) that requires immediate professional assistance.
• Torsion. The testicles tend to twist around its axis, which causes poor circulation, necrotic processes and the withering away of the gonads.
• STI. Inflammation of the testicle occurs when you get an infection, sexually transmitted diseases, it is strong and painful burning sensation applies not only to cancer but for all the genitals.
• Varicocele. Pathological structure, a disease associated with varicose veins, are genetic in nature, particularly susceptible men, susceptible to high blood pressure in the scrotum and pelvis.
• Dropsy. A disease characterized by the accumulation in the membranes of liquid. Often occurs in trauma, lesions of the lymphatic system, congestive heart failure. Diagnosis is palpation and ultrasound of the testicles massage testicles is contraindicated, exclude hernia.
• Cysts appendages. Lump in the genital area glands may indicate early cancer. The exact diagnosis after examination and ultrasound of the testicles. When confirming a malignant process, the removal of the inevitable massage of the testicles is invalid.
• Inflammation of the testicles. Orchitis is a disease characterized by severe swelling of the genital glands, fever, a decrease in the number of sperm and acute pain, irradiiruet in the waist and crotch. Massage of the testicles and the back will not help.
• Seminoma, acute condition that develops in the tissues. This malignant tumor for a long time does not manifest itself, initially found the lump, the seal. To conduct diagnostic ultrasound examination of the testicles (not a hernia). With the growth of the tumor there is a feeling of heaviness, burning, pain. The main symptoms associated with metastasis to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, treatment only operational, conduct orchectomy with the mandatory removal of lymph nodes.

In some cases, pain is normal in adolescents and young men can occur due to prolonged abstinence. With the normalization of sexual life all the unpleasant symptoms go away.

Any pathological condition that is not the norm (hernia, one testicle is much lower than the other, etc.), require consultation urologist. Men should remember that the structure of the gonads, their size and functions are a constant value with small tolerances. Any pathology in the structure of demandliquidation, and, the sooner this is done, the fewer complications will arise.