Testicle

The testicles, known medically as testes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. Male mammals have two testicles, which are often contained within an extension of the abdomen called the scrotum.

Health issues

The testicles are well-known to be very sensitive to impact and injury. This has been a rich source of humor for jokes and comedic routines. Slang terms for testicles, like "balls" or the Spanish "cojones" are often used in everyday speech to denote courage or audacity, as in "He has balls to do that."

Related Topics:
Humor - Slang - Spanish - Cojones

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The most important diseases of testicles are:

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• inflammation of the testicles, called orchitis
• testicular cancer and other neoplasms
• accumulation of clear fluid around a testicle, called hydrocele testis
• inflammation of the epididymis, called epididymitis
• spermatic cord torsion also called testicular torsion
• varicocele http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/guys/varicocele.html - swollen vein to the testes, usually affecting the left testicle

The removal of one or both testicles is termed

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• orchidectomy, in medicine (where orchiectomy and orchectomy are synonymous), and
• castration in general use, especially when done for the benefit of others than the subject, for example, to produce a high-voiced castrato from the castration of a pre-pubescent boy

At least for humans, testicular prostheses are available to mimic the appearance and feel of one or both testicles, when absent as from injury or medical treatment.

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