Cremasteric reflex

System: Kidney & Urinary Signs · All kidney & urinary signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

Stroking the inner thigh makes the testicle on that side rise, as the cremaster muscle contracts; the reflex is characteristically absent when the testicle has twisted.

What a positive finding suggests

Absence on the painful side is associated with testicular torsion; the reflex may also be absent in some normal boys.

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Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.