In normal fetal development, during the last months of birth, the testicles develop in the abdomen and descend into the scrotum in the male fetus. Sometimes at birth, one or both testicles may fail to descend into the scrotum. If the testicle has not descended within the first year of the baby's life, surgery may be recommended to return the testicle to its proper position in the scrotum.
Review Date: 8/15/2006
Reviewed By: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.