I was wondering if someone might be able
to shed some light on something I noticed.
I've noticed some small masses on the
bottom of both my testicles. For the most
part it seems to feel like one or two
tubes, plus maybe sort of a ridge shaped
mass as well. For the most part they
don't seem to be part of my testicles
(more like near it and attached like the
epididymis), but it's sort of hard to
tell. It seems by all accounts to just be
part of my epididymis, the tubes seem to
follow up the back of my testicle which
leads me to think it is part of the
spermatic chord (although its not
extremely easy to be sure since its not
very big). Also, i've read online that a
small, football shaped mass on the bottom
of the testicle is normal as well. I
noticed these masses (at least I remember
noticing the one on the right) over three
years ago and they don't appear to have
changed since then.
Here's why i'm asking: the diagrams i've
found online most of the time do not show
the epididymis extending the entire way to
the bottom of the testicle. However, I
have found some that do. In other words,
I can't find something consistent enough
to tell me if this is just my normal
anatomy or what. Like I said this all
feels like something that wouldn't cause
alarm (people are quick to point out that
one should be aware of the epididymis
because it does not indicate a problem)
but I haven't found verification that this
is definetly a normal part of my
testicle.
I would love some feedback about this.
Does anyone know if the epididymis can
actually go to the bottom of the testicle,
has anybody noticed something similar
personally, or has anyone talked to a
doctor about this? I have done some
reading and found that this isn't really a
risk of cancer, more of things like
varicoceles. In case it helps, i'm a 24
year old male who was diagnosed with a
spermatocele about six years ago (which
scared the absolute hell out of me and
pretty much explains my
paranoia/hypochondria ). Anyway, thanks
for whatever insight you can provide, it
is immensely appreciated.
|
rIcHrD
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 19
Posted: 01-30-05 19:12pm
The epididymus in the normal population
envelopes the posterior (behind) and
superior (above) aspects of the tunica
albuginea of the testis. It does not
normally extend beyond this, though it may
as part of naturally occuring variation in
the distribution/formation of body parts.
(everything is variable, to an extent).
It serves to store seminiferous fluid
produced in the testis, and is the main
means of attachment of the testis to the
vas deferens. The epididymus itself
communicates with the testis via vas
efferentia, small tubules carrying
seminiferous fluid.
If you're concerned about what you
observe, have it checked out. It isn't by
any definition necessarily abnormal, but
then it isn't the most prevalent
configuration.
The real causes of alarm are not
congenital variations, but newfound
changes in structure. In your case
though, presumably you didn't examine your
testicles much before your scare, so
you're unlikely to know whether these
formations are new.
