Swelling of the scrotum

Swelling of the scrotum without redness or itching may indicate yīn swelling, water mounting, or foxlike mounting.

Yīn swelling of the scrotum is a local manifestation of severe generalized water swelling. This is easily distinguished from the following types of swelling of the scrotum by the presence of water swelling in other parts of the body.

Water mounting, corresponding to scrotal hydrocele in biomedicine, is a swollen scrotum that feels full of water and appears orange and translucent under a light transmission test. In the light transmission test, a sheet of non-translucent paper is rolled into a tube, and one end of it is pressed against one side of the scrotum. When a flashlight is pressed against the other side of the scrotum, the amount of light appearing in the paper tube indicates the degree of translucence of the scrotum. In water mounting, the paper tube shows an orange light, indicating a high degree of translucence. It is attributed to water-damp pouring downward or to contraction of wind, cold, or damp evils.

Foxlike mounting, also called mounting qì (疝气 shàn qì), corresponding to inguinal hernia in biomedicine, is a soft swelling of the scrotum that disappears when the patient lies flat. Unlike water mounting, the light transmission test reveals no translucence. Foxlike mounting is caused by the small intestine descending into the scrotum when the patient stands and retracting when the patient lies flat. It is attributable to liver depression, cold-damp, damp-heat, qì vacuity, or prolonged standing or walking.