Abstract
The testis forms at 7–8 weeks’ gestation and then descends from the abdominal cavity to the scrotum in 2 separate steps. From 8–12 weeks testosterone and insulin-like hormone 3 (Insl3) control the transabdominal phase by stimulating regression of the cranial suspensory ligament, and enlargement of the caudal ligament, or ‘gubernaculum’. At 25–35 weeks testosterone regulates the inguinoscrotal phase, where the gubernaculum migrates to the scrotum and the testis descends inside it in the elongating processus vaginalis. Migration is controlled by a neurotransmitter released from the genitofemoral nerve in response to androgen. Any anomaly of the complex anatomical process or its regulation can lead to undescended testis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Recommended Readings
Gurney JK, McGlynn KA, Stanley J, Merriman T, Signal V, Shaw C, Edwards R, Richiardi L, Hutson J, Sarfati D. Risk factors for cryptorchidism. Nat Rev. Urol. 2017;14(9):534–48.
Hutson JM, Thorup JM, Beasley SW. Descent of the testis. 2. Springer International Publishing; 2016.
Hutson JM, Balic A, Nation T, Southwell B. Cryptorchidism. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2010;19(3):215–24.
Hutson JM, Hasthorpe S. Abnormalities of testicular descent. Cell Tissue Res. 2005;322(1):155–8.
Hughes IA, Acerini CL. Factors controlling testis descent. Eur J Endocrinol. 2008;159(Suppl 1):S75–82.
Hutson JM, Lopez- Marambio FA. The possible role of AMH in shortening of the gubernacular cord in testicular descent: a reappraisal of the evidence. J Pediatr Surg. 2017;52(10):1656–60.
Punwani VV, Wong JSY, Lai CYH, Chia JCY, Hutson JM. Testicular ectopia: why does it happen and what do we do? J Pediatr Surg. 2017;52(11):1842–7.
Hutson JM, Baker M, Terada M, Zhou B, Paxton G. Hormonal control of testicular descent and the cause of cryptorchidism. Reprod Fertil Dev. 1994;6(2):151–6.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hutson, J. (2019). The Testis. In: Carachi, R., Doss, S. (eds) Clinical Embryology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26158-4_46
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26158-4_46
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-26156-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-26158-4
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)