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What is torsion medical term

Author

Ava Hudson

Updated on April 07, 2026

1 : the twisting of a bodily organ or part on its own axis intestinal torsion. 2 : the twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction also : the state of being twisted.

What does the medical term torsion mean?

Testicular torsion occurs when a testicle rotates, twisting the spermatic cord that brings blood to the scrotum. The reduced blood flow causes sudden and often severe pain and swelling.

How do you treat torsion?

Surgery is required to correct testicular torsion. In some instances, the doctor might be able to untwist the testicle by pushing on the scrotum (manual detorsion). But you’ll still need surgery to prevent torsion from occurring again. Surgery for testicular torsion is usually done under general anesthesia.

How is torsion caused?

Causes of testicular torsion Testicular torsion happens if the testicle rotates on the cord that runs upward from the testicle into the abdomen. The rotation twists the spermatic cord and reduces blood flow. If the testicle rotates several times, blood flow can be entirely blocked, causing damage more quickly.

Is torsion an emergency?

Testicular torsion is an emergency condition. It happens when the spermatic cord, which provides blood flow to the testicle, rotates and becomes twisted. The twisting cuts off the testicle’s blood supply and causes sudden pain and swelling.

How do you get a Spermatocele?

Spermatoceles happen when sperm builds up somewhere in the epididymis. Healthcare providers don’t fully understand the factors that lead to this sperm buildup. Some medical experts point to a blockage in the epididymal duct or inflammation as potential causes.

What is torsion example?

To turn on a gas, a burner knob is rotated. This rotation occurs when a twist or torsion force is applied by the person. Many other kitchen appliances make use of the similar twist force for their respective operations. For example, turning on the knob of a mixer grinder, increasing time period of a microwave, etc.

How do you know if your balls are tangled?

The most common sign of testicular torsion is sudden, severe pain on one side of the scrotum. The testes should be about the same size. If one side quickly becomes larger than the other, this can be a problem. Change in scrotum color, especially redness or darkening, is also a problem.

How long is recovery from testicular torsion surgery?

After surgery for testicular torsion, there will be bruising and swelling for about a week or so. The good news is dissolvable stitches are usually used, so there is no need for removal. Your child or teen will be able to go back to normal activities, including attending school, in about 1-2 weeks.

How severe is the pain of testicular torsion?

If your son has testicular torsion, he’ll feel a sudden, possibly severe pain in his scrotum and one of his testicles. The pain can get worse or ease a bit, but probably won’t go away completely. If your son has sudden groin pain, get him to a hospital emergency room as soon as you can.

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What happens if a dead testicle is not removed?

Testicular torsion causes sudden pain and swelling in the scrotum or lower abdomen. This is an emergency situation — if left untreated, the condition can lead to a permanently damaged or dead testicle which must then be removed. Testicular torsion is most common in teenage and newborn boys but can occur at any age.

Should you go to the hospital testicular torsion?

Testicular torsion can cause the body part to lose its blood supply, resulting in loss of the testicle. If you suspect testicular torsion or if testicular pain is accompanied by nausea, fever, chills, or blood in your urine, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

Why is testicular torsion considered a surgical emergency?

Testicular torsion is a medical emergency. Since all blood for the testicle comes through the spermatic cord, the blood supply is cut off with a twist. The testicle will shrink (“atrophy”) if the blood supply isn’t restored within 6 hours. With no blood, the testicle could die (or “infarct”).

What is torsion testing?

Torsion testing involves the twisting of a sample along an axis and is a useful test for acquiring information like torsional shear stress, maximum torque, shear modulus, and breaking angle of a material or the interface between two materials.

How is torsion used?

Applications. A torsion spring is commonly used in clothes pins, clipboards, swing-down tailgates and garage doors. Other application types include hinges, counterbalances and lever returns. Sizes range from miniature, used in electronic devices, to large torsion springs used in chair control units.

What is torsion effect?

Torsion is the state of strain in a material that has been twisted by an applied torque. It will occur whenever a structural element is subject to a twisting force. … Torsion develops shear stresses and is equivalent to tension and compression at right angles.

How painful is a Spermatocelectomy?

Although a spermatocele generally isn’t painful, you might feel discomfort when your doctor examines (palpates) the mass. You might also undergo the following diagnostic tests: Transillumination.

Can a buildup of sperm cause pain?

Common Causes Infection: The testicle and epididymis, the part of the testicle that stores sperm, can sometimes become infected, causing pain and swelling that starts quickly and gets worse. Fluid Buildup: An injury or infection can cause fluid to build up around the testicle, causing painful swelling.

How do you get rid of spermatocele naturally?

You cannot get rid of a spermatocele naturally. Although diet, herbal remedies and lifestyle modifications often claim to treat a spermatocele, there is no evidence that they help get rid of the condition. Most spermatoceles are not dangerous and do not require any treatment.

Does torsion surgery hurt?

The incision will ooze fluid for 2 to 3 days. You can expect to feel better each day, although you may have some mild to moderate pain for several days after surgery. You may need pain medicine during this time.

Does testicular torsion cause erectile dysfunction?

A man may not be able to have an erection (erectile dysfunction), or the erection may not go away naturally (priapism), which is a medical emergency. Torsion of a testicle. This occurs when a testicle twists on the spermatic cord and cuts off the blood supply to the testicle.

How do I check myself for testicular torsion?

Start by gently gripping the top of the scrotum, with your thumb on top and your fingers underneath. Pinch gently so that the testicle stays put and won’t move during the exam. Between your fingers, you should feel the spermatic cord. This connects the testicle to the rest of your body.

Can you have a baby after testicular torsion?

The After Effects Of Testicular Torsion Unfortunately, testicular torsion, most often than not, can lead to reduced fertility or infertility too. In close to 1/3 of cases, there is a reduction in sperm count below normal after suffering torsion, disabling a man to father a child.

Is testicular torsion embarrassing?

Talking to someone about your balls might be embarrassing. But if you have pain, you need to get help. Doctors do a simple surgery to fix the torsion.

What is torsional shear stress?

Torsional shear stress or Torsional stress is the shear stress produced in the shaft due to the twisting. This twisting in the shaft is caused by the couple acting on it.

How is torsion calculated?

General torsion equation T = torque or twisting moment, [N×m, lb×in] J = polar moment of inertia or polar second moment of area about shaft axis, [m4, in4] τ = shear stress at outer fibre, [Pa, psi] r = radius of the shaft, [m, in]

What are the types of torsion?

These torsional moments are of two types: (i) Primary or equilibrium torsion, and (ii) Secondary or compatibility torsion. The primary torsion is required for the basic static equilibrium of most of the statically determinate structures.