Appendix of testis

Appendix of testis
The right testis, exposed by laying open the tunica vaginalis (appendix of testis is labeled at right)
Details
Precursor Müllerian duct
Identifiers
Latin Appendix testis
Anatomical terminology
Scrotal ultrasonography of an 85 year old man with hydrocele, making the appendix of the testicle clearly distinctive as a 4 mm outpouching at upper left in image. Doppler shows some blood flow.

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


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