Monorchism (also monorchidism) is the state of having only one testicle within the scrotum.

Monorchism
SpecialtyMedical genetics Edit this on Wikidata

Terminology

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An individual having monorchism can be referred to as monorchid.

Causes

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This can be due to:

  • One testicle not descending into the scrotum during normal embryonic or fetal development (3–4% of 'normal' live births), also known as undescended testis or cryptorchidism. In this case the testis is within the abdominal cavity, somewhere along the normal route of descent – most commonly, within the inguinal canal. Such a testis has an increased risk of malignancy.
  • One testicle may disappear during development (the so-called vanishing testis) due to some intrauterine insult. This is thought to be most likely vascular, such as testicular torsion.
  • One testicle may have been surgically removed through orchiectomy.
  • One testicle may be injured.

Notable cases

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Due to testicular cancer

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Due to injury

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Due to cryptorchidism

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  • Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China.[18]
  • Dara Ó Briain, Irish comedian related that he has a single testicle in a standup routine.

Unknown

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Monorchism in nonhuman animals

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Although extremely rare, monorchism has been observed to be characteristic of some animal species, notably in beetles.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Allen, Arthur (29 July 1999). "Triumph of the cure". Salon.
  2. ^ "Milestones: Jan. 23, 1984". Time. 23 January 1984.
  3. ^ http://www.usrf.org/tomgreen.shtml Urological Sciences Research Foundation page on Tom Green
  4. ^ "Testicular Cancer And Mark Latham". George Negus Tonight. Archived from the original on 30 July 2004.
  5. ^ Baggaley, Michael (July 22, 2009). "Port Vale: Horsfield hoping his luck can rub off on Valiants". The Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  6. ^ "Nuggets: Nene's testicular tumor malignant, but cancer isolated". The Denver Post. The Associated Press. 22 January 2008.
  7. ^ Volin, Ben (17 December 2010). "After surgery for cancer, wide receiver Kevin Curtis gets a chance with Miami Dolphins". The Palm Beach Post.
  8. ^ Farage, Nigel (13 March 2015). "Nigel Farage: Cancer, a lemon-sized testicle and how the NHS failed me". The Telegraph.
  9. ^ Parsons, Tony (14 February 2009). "David Beckham is great, but Bobby Moore was one of a kind". Mirror.
  10. ^ White, Jimmy; Kingsland, Rosemary (1998). Behind the White Ball: My Autobiography. London: Hutchinson. ISBN 978-0-09-180126-7.[page needed]
  11. ^ Chronicle of John Hardyng, ed. Ellis, H., p.381. London, 1812. [1]
  12. ^ "Hard Man Bayliss". Visordown. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  13. ^ "MMA cost Brian Foster a nut". Rebellion Media. April 13, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  14. ^ "Starks has twisted testicle removed". ESPN. Associated Press. 30 May 2001.
  15. ^ "Wire's Wood has testicle removed". BBC Sport. 7 October 2012.
  16. ^ Merry, Stephanie (5 October 2017). "The new Thurgood Marshall biopic is trying not to be a 'good for you' movie". Washington Post.
  17. ^ Raab, Chris (February 18, 2019). "Bathroom Break Podcast #27 - Dave England: Entertainer". YouTube. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  18. ^ Li Zhisui (2010). Private Life Of Chairman Mao: The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician. Random House. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-4070-5922-8.
  19. ^ "BBC News - Spain's Franco 'had one testicle'". 18 May 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  20. ^ Will, Kipling W.; Liebherr, James K.; Maddison, David R.; Galián, José (April 2005). "Absence asymmetry: The evolution of monorchid beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae): Carabid Beetle Testes" (PDF). Journal of Morphology. 264 (1): 75–93. doi:10.1002/jmor.10319. PMID 15732050. S2CID 38195864.