Types of Undescended Testicles

Undescended testicles are often classified according to their location and whether they can be felt (palpable or nonpalpable).

• Abdominal or intra-abdominal: The testicle remains inside the abdomen and cannot be felt (is nonpalpable) during a physical exam. Often it will be located close to the inner opening of the inguinal canal.
• Inguinal or intracanicular: The testicle stops in the inguinal canal and cannot be felt during a physical exam.
• Prescrotal or prepubic: The testicle moves down through the inguinal canal but does not descend completely into the scrotum. It usually can be felt (is palpable) during a physical exam.
• Ectopic: The testicle descends normally through the inguinal canal but then moves into an abnormal position in the groin area. It can be felt.

See a picture that shows the position of normal and undescended testicles.

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Peter Anderson, MD, FRCS(C) - Pediatric Urology
Last Revised	April 1, 2011