Hydrocele
Encyclopedia
A hydrocoele denotes a pathological
accumulation of serous fluid
in a body cavity
. It can also be noted as a minor malformation of newborns due to high levels of lead
in the mother's blood
during pregnancy
.
A hydrocele testis
is the accumulation of fluids around a testicle
, and is fairly common. It is caused by fluid secreted from a remnant piece of peritoneum
wrapped around the testicle, called the tunica vaginalis
. It can be the result of cancer
, trauma (such as a hernia
), or orchitis
, and can also occur in infants undergoing peritoneal dialysis
. It may be treated surgically
. Hydroceles are usually not painful, but neither are testicular tumors. A common way of diagnosing a hydrocele is by attempting to shine a strong light through the enlarged scrotum
. A hydrocele will usually pass light, while a tumor
will not. A related region in females that can have a hydrocele is the canal of Nuck
.
A hydrocele can also be the result of a plugged inguinal
lymphatic system
caused by repeated, chronic infection
of Wuchereria bancrofti
or Brugia malayi
, two mosquito
-borne parasites of Africa
and Southeast Asia
, respectively. As such, the condition would be a part of more diffuse sequela
e commonly referred to as elephantiasis
, which also affects the lymphatic system in other parts of the body.
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
accumulation of serous fluid
Serous fluid
In physiology, the term serous fluid is used for various bodily fluids that are typically pale yellow and transparent, and of a benign nature, that fill the inside of body cavities. Serous fluid originates from serous glands, with secretions enriched with proteins and water. Serous fluid may also...
in a body cavity
Body cavity
By the broadest definition, a body cavity is any fluid-filled space in a multicellular organism. However, the term usually refers to the space located between an animal’s outer covering and the outer lining of the gut cavity, where internal organs develop...
. It can also be noted as a minor malformation of newborns due to high levels of lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
in the mother's blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
during pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
.
A hydrocele testis
Hydrocele testis
A hydrocele testis is an accumulation of clear fluid in the tunica vaginalis, the most internal of membranes containing a testicle. A primary hydrocele causes a painless enlargement in the scrotum on the affected side and is thought to be due to the defective absorption of fluid secreted between...
is the accumulation of fluids around a testicle
Testicle
The testicle is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testes are components of both the reproductive system and the endocrine system...
, and is fairly common. It is caused by fluid secreted from a remnant piece of peritoneum
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
wrapped around the testicle, called the tunica vaginalis
Tunica vaginalis
The tunica vaginalis is the serous covering of the testis.It is a pouch of serous membrane, derived from the processus vaginalis of the peritoneum, which in the fetus preceded the descent of the testis from the abdomen into the scrotum....
. It can be the result of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, trauma (such as a hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
), or orchitis
Orchitis
Orchitis or orchiditis is a condition of the testes involving inflammation. It can also involve swelling and frequent infection.-Symptoms:Symptoms of orchitis are similar to those of testicular torsion...
, and can also occur in infants undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment for patients with severe chronic kidney disease. The process uses the patient's peritoneum in the abdomen as a membrane across which fluids and dissolved substances are exchanged from the blood...
. It may be treated surgically
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
. Hydroceles are usually not painful, but neither are testicular tumors. A common way of diagnosing a hydrocele is by attempting to shine a strong light through the enlarged scrotum
Scrotum
In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
. A hydrocele will usually pass light, while a tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
will not. A related region in females that can have a hydrocele is the canal of Nuck
Canal of Nuck
The canal of Nuck, described by Anton Nuck in 1691, is an abnormal patent pouch of peritoneum extending into the labia majora of women. It is analogous to the processus vaginalis in males ....
.
A hydrocele can also be the result of a plugged inguinal
Inguinal
In human anatomy, the inguinal region refers to either the groin or the lower lateral regions of the abdomen. It may also refer to:* Conjoint tendon, previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx, a structure formed from the transversus abdominis insertion into the pecten pubis* Granuloma...
lymphatic system
Lymphatic system
The lymphoid system is the part of the immune system comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes, and in the lymphoid follicles associated...
caused by repeated, chronic infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
of Wuchereria bancrofti
Wuchereria bancrofti
Filaria, is a parasitic filarial nematode spread by a mosquito vector. It is one of the three parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis, an infection of the lymphatic system by filarial worms. It affects over 120 million people, primarily in Africa, South America, and other tropical and...
or Brugia malayi
Brugia malayi
Brugia malayi is a nematode , one of the three causative agents of lymphatic filariasis in humans. Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a condition characterized by swelling of the lower limbs. The two other filarial causes of lymphatic filariasis are Wuchereria bancrofti and...
, two mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
-borne parasites of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, respectively. As such, the condition would be a part of more diffuse sequela
Sequela
A sequela) is a pathological condition resulting from a disease, injury, or other trauma.Chronic kidney disease, for example, is sometimes a sequela of diabetes, and neck pain is a common sequela of whiplash or other trauma to the cervical vertebrae. Post-traumatic stress disorder may be a...
e commonly referred to as elephantiasis
Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and male genitals. In some cases the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball. It is caused by...
, which also affects the lymphatic system in other parts of the body.