Polyorchidism

Polyorchidism
Ultrasound scan showing a side view of Type A3 polyorchidism, with annotations showing the superior and inferior testes and the head and tail of the epididymis

Polyorchidism is the incidence of more than two testicles. It is a very rare congenital disorder, with fewer than 200 cases reported in medical literature[1] and six cases (two horses, two dogs and two cats) in veterinary literature.[2]

Polyorchidism is generally diagnosed via an ultrasound examination of the testicles. However, the diagnosis of polyorchidism should include histological confirmation. The most common form is triorchidism, or tritestes, where three testicles are present. The condition is usually asymptomatic. A man who has polyorchidism is known as a polyorchid.

  1. ^ Bergholz, R.; Wenke, K. (2009). "Polyorchidism: A Meta-Analysis". The Journal of Urology. 182 (5): 2422–2427. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2009.07.063. PMID 19765760.
  2. ^ Roca-Ferrer, J.; et al. (2015). "A Rare Case of Polyorchidism in a Cat with Four Intra-abdominal Testes". Reprod Dom Anim. 50 (1): 172–176. doi:10.1111/rda.12461. PMID 25472870.