What is testicular torsion?
Testicular torsion (say: “tess-tick-you-ler tor-shun”) occurs when the spermatic cord becomes twisted. This cuts off the blood supply to the testicles (see drawing).
The cause of testicular torsion is usually not known. It is more common in infant boys and boys who are going through puberty. Each year, about 1 in 4,000 men younger than 25 years of age gets it.
Source
Testicular Torsion by E Ringdahl, MD, and L Teague, MD (American Family Physician November 15, 2007, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20061115/1739.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 12/10
Created: 05/08