Which term describes the removal of one or both testes?

Orchiectomy is the surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both testes. This term is derived from the Greek words "orchis," meaning testicle, and "ektome," meaning excision. This procedure may be performed for various medical reasons, including treatment of testicular cancer, severe trauma, or in certain cases, as part of gender confirmation surgery.

In contrast, orchitis refers to inflammation of one or both testes, which is a condition rather than a surgical procedure. Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries and is unrelated to testicular surgery. Vasectomy is a procedure used for male sterilization, where the vas deferens is cut and sealed to prevent sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation, but it does not involve the removal of testes. Understanding these definitions helps clarify why orchiectomy is the correct term for the removal of the testes.