Torsion of the Appendix Testis

What are the symptoms of torsion of the appendix testis?

Symptoms include pain, and sometimes swelling, in the scrotum (the bag of skin hanging behind the penis). The symptoms for this condition are very similar to the symptoms of testicular torsion.

What happens in torsion of the appendix testis?

The appendix testis is a vestigial remnant of the Müllerian duct, from which female reproductive organs form in the embryo. In boys, it has no function, much as the appendix in our abdomen has no function. More than half of all boys are born with an appendix testis, usually with no ill effects. Occasionally, a problem can occur if the appendix testis twists and chokes off its blood supply. Although it involves only a tiny amount of tissue, your son may experience considerable pain.