Question
My son is 10 years old and had a hernia as a child, which was not severe and was not operated on. Recent checks have shown that his testicles are small and underdeveloped. How can we confirm the diagnosis, is there hope for recovery, and do we need immediate further examination?
Answer
The testicles are male gonads located in the scrotum, with one on each side. After reaching adulthood, normal testicle length is about 4 to 5 centimeters, width about 3 centimeters, thickness about 2.5 centimeters, and volume about 20 to 30 milliliters. The testicles are divided into many lobules, each containing dozens of seminiferous tubules, where sperm are produced. The functions of the testicles include producing sperm and secreting male hormones, which affect male libido and secondary sexual characteristics. However, factors such as genetic factors and nutritional status can lead to differences in testicle size. Generally, there is no direct correlation between testicle size and sexual function or fertility. But if the testicle volume is less than 10 milliliters, it may indicate underdevelopment or atrophy, which could affect sperm production and sexual function. Causes of underdeveloped testicles include endocrine abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities, anatomical factors (such as fetal blood supply problems or testicular torsion), infection (such as viral orchitis caused by mumps), and trauma or surgical injury. Early detection and treatment of these diseases at a younger age can help improve the prognosis. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the kidneys store essence, and by supplementing kidney essence and enhancing…