varicocele

noun

var·​i·​co·​cele ˈver-ə-kō-ˌsēl 

ˈva-rə-

: a varicose enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord

Examples of varicocele in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Surgery reduces heat effects on the testis caused by the varicocele. —Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2023

The cause could also be a varicocele, an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, which can sometimes be corrected with a relatively simple surgery called a varicocelectomy. —Chloe Melas, CNN, 13 July 2021

Meanwhile, Laz, 32, has high levels of anti-sperm antibodies and bilateral varicocele. —Rebecca Speare-Cole, Health.com, 20 May 2021

Most of the time, varicoceles (which are common) don’t lead to fertility issues, but they’re estimated to occur in 35 percent of men tested for infertility. —Hallie Levine, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2020

Some causes of infertility in men include: Varicocele A varicocele is swelling of one or several of the veins that drain the testicle. —Jennifer Gerson, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2018

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin varicocēlē, from Latin varic-, varix "varicose vein, varix" + New Latin -o- -o- + -cēlē -cele

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

varicocele

noun

var·​i·​co·​cele ˈvar-i-kō-ˌsēl 

: a varicose enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord producing a soft compressible tumor mass in the scrotum