Other mishaps can cut or pierce the scrotum and injure the testicles. These include animal bites, bullet wounds, and accidents with machinery.

In men and boys, the testicles hang outside the body in a pouch of skin called the scrotum. Because of their location, many types of accidents can cause testicular injuries .

Types of Testicular Injury

Testicular trauma can cause different problems. That's because testicles are made of different types of tissue. The scrotum also contains other structures that are attached to the testicles.

Testicular injuries include:

Rupture or fracture. An injury can rupture or tear the tough, protective covering surrounding the testicle and damage the testicle. This is called a testicular rupture or fracture.

Contusion. When an accident injures blood vessels in the testicle, it can cause a contusion, which may involve bleeding and bruising.

Torsion. A tube called the spermatic cord contains blood vessels that lead from the abdomen to the testicle. A scrotum injury can cause this cord to twist, which is called torsion. Torsion can also happen spontaneously, without an injury.

Hematoceles. These can occur when blood collects under a layer of the protective covering around the testicle.

Dislocation. Some accidents can push the testicle out of the scrotum. It may end up in the abdomen, near the pubic bone over the penis, or other areas near the scrotum. This most often happens in motorcycle crashes when the testicles collide with the gas tank.

Epididymitis. Testicular trauma can injure the epididymis, leaving it inflamed or infected. The epididymis is a coiled tube that holds sperm for a while after they leave the testicle.

Infections. Animal bites can also cause infections in the scrotum.

Degloving. In this type of injury, the scrotum is torn away, like removing a glove from a hand.