Jump to content

Appendix of testis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by NihlusBOT (talk | contribs) at 22:09, 11 February 2018 (Bot: removing deprecated anatomy infobox parameters (Task 11)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Appendix of testis
The right testis, exposed by laying open the tunica vaginalis (appendix of testis is labeled at right)
Details
PrecursorMüllerian duct
Identifiers
LatinAppendix testis
TA98A09.3.02.010
TA23612
FMA19846 19846, 19846
Anatomical terminology
Scrotal ultrasonography with Doppler of an 85 year old man with hydrocele, making the appendix of the testicle clearly distinctive as a 4 mm outpouching.

The appendix testis (or hydatid of Morgagni) is a vestigial remnant of the Müllerian duct, present on the upper pole of the testis and attached to the tunica vaginalis. It is present about 90% of the time.

Clinical significance

Although it has no physiological function, it can be medically significant in that it can, occasionally, undergo torsion (i.e. become twisted), causing acute one-sided testicular pain and may require surgical excision to achieve relief. One third of patients present with a palpable "blue dot" discoloration on the scrotum. This is nearly diagnostic of this condition. Although if clinical suspicion is high for testicular torsion, a surgical exploration of the scrotum is warranted.

Occasionally a torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni can produce symptoms mimicking those created by a testicular torsion; a torsion of the hydatid, however, does not lead to any impairment of testicular function.

See also