Monorchism
Monorchism is the state of having only one testicle within the scrotum.
Causes
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 being surgically removed through Orchidectomy.
- One testicle may be injured.
Notable cases
Due to testicular cancer
Due to injury
- Adolf Hitler, Chancellor in Germany (possibly, see Hitler's possible monorchism)
- Dave England, Jackass cast member.
- Mao Zedong, known as Chairman Mao, Chinese revolutionary.
- Francisco Franco, Dictator of Spain.[6]
- Troy Bayliss, world superbike champion in 2001, 2006 and 2008. In 2007 he lost a testicle during a race at Doninghton Park [7].
- Barnacle Jim, American cross country face bike champion in 2007 and 2010.
- Hermann Goering, leading member of the Nazi party
Monorchism in nonhuman animals
Although extremely rare, monorchism has been observed to be characteristic of some animal species, notably in beetles.[8]
Terminology
An individual having monorchism can be referred to as monorchid.
See also
References