睾
testicles
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
睾 refers specifically to the testicles, the male reproductive glands.
Most common words using 睾
- 睾丸こうがん
testicle; testicles; testes
- 停留睾丸ていりゅうこうがん
cryptorchidism; undescended testicle
- 副睾丸ふくこうがん
epididymis
- 副睾丸炎ふくこうがんえん
epididymitis; inflammation of the epididymis
- 睾丸回転症こうがんかいてんしょう
testicular torsion; torsion of the testis
- 睾丸捻転症こうがんねんてんしょう
testicular torsion; torsion of the testis; rotatis testis
- 睾丸炎こうがんえん
orchitis; inflammation of the testes
Study
Etymology
睾 is a variant form of 睪, which originally depicted a net or trap. The specific association with testicles is a later semantic extension, possibly through phonetic loan or anatomical metaphor. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top stroke 丿 can be seen as a single testicle, and the bottom part ⺫幸 resembles a scrotum with internal structures. Together they form the testicles.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a doctor saying 'code' for a testicular exam: code -> コウ, and the testicles are being checked.