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Published on: March 15, 2018
[Polyorchidism]
Ivan Olano Grasa1, Roberto Llarena Ibarguren, Jorge García-Olaverri Rodríguez
1Servicio de Urología, Hospital de Cruces, Vizcaya, España. estufano@hotmail.com
Archivos Espanoles De Urologia
|April 30, 2009
Summary
This case report details polyorchidism, a rare condition with a supernumerary testicle. The patient
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Polyorchidism, the presence of supernumerary testicles, is an exceptionally rare congenital anomaly.
- This condition is often discovered incidentally and presents diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old male presented with an incidentally discovered right scrotal mass.
- Physical examination, ultrasound, and CT scan raised suspicion for polyorchidism.
- Surgical exploration and biopsy confirmed the presence of a supernumerary testicle.
Findings:
- The supernumerary testicle in this case showed no signs of pathology or dysplasia.
- Established classifications for polyorchidism consider testicular location, and the presence/absence of independent epididymis and vasa deferentia.
- Given the absence of pathology, orchiectomy of the supernumerary testicle was deferred.
Implications:
- While rare, supernumerary testicles carry a potential risk of malignant degeneration.
- Surgical exploration and biopsy are crucial for evaluating dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or pain.
- Management decisions, including orchiectomy, should be individualized based on biopsy findings and clinical presentation.
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Nondisjunction
During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis. Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
Nondisjunction
During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.
What is Meiosis?
Meiosis is the process by which diploid cells divide to produce haploid daughter cells. In humans, each diploid cell contains 46 chromosomes, half from the mother and half from the father. Following meiosis, the resulting haploid eggs or sperm only contain 23 chromosomes; however, each of these chromosomes contains a unique combination of parental information that results from the meiotic process of crossing over.
Although meiosis shares similarities with mitosis—both rely on microtubules to...
Although meiosis shares similarities with mitosis—both rely on microtubules to...
What is Meiosis?
Meiosis is the process by which diploid cells divide to produce haploid daughter cells. In humans, each diploid cell contains 46 chromosomes, half from the mother and half from the father. Following meiosis, the resulting haploid eggs or sperm only contain 23 chromosomes; however, each of these chromosomes contains a unique combination of parental information that results from the meiotic process of crossing over.
X and Y Chromosomes
Among mammals, the gender of an organism is determined by the sex chromosomes. Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y. Every human diploid cell has 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. A human female has two X chromosomes, while a male has one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
