Final answer:
The root 'crypt' in cryptorchidism means 'hidden,' referring to a condition where one or both of the testes remain hidden, as they fail to descend into the scrotum normally before birth.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cryptorchidism, the root 'crypt' means 'hidden.' This term is related to a medical condition in which one or both of the testes fail to descend into the scrotum before birth. Normally, each testis descends from an abdominal position into the scrotal cavity during the seventh month of fetal development in males. The descent of the testis is a critical process for proper testicular function including temperature regulation and sperm development. Cryptorchidism therefore can lead to fertility issues if not corrected, as the temperature within the abdomen is typically higher than in the scrotum, potentially impairing normal sperm production.