Cryptorchidism (from the Greek kruptos, hidden, and orkhis, testicle) is a term describing incomplete testicular descent. Normally, the testis descends into the pelvis by the third month of gestation, and then through the inguinal canal into the scrotum during the last two months of gestation.  Approximately 1% of newborn boys have an undescended testis, a condition which usually resolves within the first year of life.
Undescended testes have an increased risk of malignancy, and they may lead to infertility. For these reasons, orchiopexy (surgical placement of testis in the scrotal sac) should be performed in cases of persistent cryptorchidism, preferably before two years of age, when degenerative histologic changes may begin to appear.
Note: the beautiful photo of the other kind of orkhis was taken by forteller, and can be found at:Â http://www.flickr.com/photos/forteller/48036068/.
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