Microorchidism
Abnormally small testes. To determine if the testes are too small, a device called an orchidometer is used that permits the testes to be compared to a series of plastic ovals (like miniature American footballs) of differing sizes. Microorchidism is a diagnostic feature, for example, of the Prader-Willi syndrome and certain other multiple malformation syndromes. Microorchidism may also result from shrinkage (atrophy) of the testis due to damage, as from mumps.
The opposite of macroorchidism is microorchidism (abnormally small testes).
Read Also:
- Micropenis
An abnormally small penis. In medical practice, the dimension of the penis that is measured is the length. This measurement is taken along the upper surface of the shaft of the penis to the tip, using a measuring tape or, preferably, a ruler. The ruler is pressed firmly into the soft tissue over the pubic […]
- Microphallus
An abnormally small penis. Also called micropenis. In medical practice, the dimension of the penis that is measured is the length. The measurement is taken along the upper surface of the shaft of the penis to the tip, using a measuring tape or preferably a ruler. The ruler is pressed firmly into the soft tissue […]
- Microphthalmia
An abnormally small eye. Microphthalmia is a congenital malformation of the globe, a birth defect of the eye. A related term, anophthalmia, indicates that there is no eye at all. Also known as microphthalmos.
- Microphthalmia syndrome, Lenz
Lenz microphthalmia syndrome.
- Microscope
An optical instrument that augments the power of the eye to see small objects. The name microscope was coined by Johannes Faber (1574-1629) who in 1628 borrowed from the Greek to combined micro-, small with skopein, to view. Although the first microscopes were simple microscopes, most (if not all) optical microscopes today are compound microscopes.