Urogenital Imaging

Ectopic testis

In humans, the testis develops in the abdomen and normally descends into the lower portion of the scrotum during the third trimester. The testis may descend normally from the abdomen, but be misguided to an abnormal position outside the external inguinal ring (presumably due to an abnormal gubernaculum). This constitutes testicular ectopia. The ectopic testis may be in the perineum, femoral canal, superficial inguinal pouch, suprapubic area or contralateral hemiscrotum. Testicular ectopia is uncommon. The most common ectopic location is in the superficial inguinal pouch, a subcutaneous pocket in front of and lateral to the external ring, while transverse testicular ectopia (i.e. in the contralateral hemiscrotum) is the rarest of all ectopic locations. Imaging considerations in the evaluation of the ectopic testis are similar to those for the cryptorchid testis (see cryptorchidism).

HH