Does anyone know what the doctor is looking for when during a medical examination he holds the testicles in his hand and asks the patient to cough? Sometimes the doctor will use a stick to support the testicles whilst carrying out this check. My son thought when asking this question that he'd be open to ridicule for not knowing, but none of his friends or colleagues know either and, like him, have been too embarrassed to ask.

Asking for a cough while examining the scrotum is a way to check for a hernia: the increased abdominal pressure generated by a cough causes the hernia to push downward toward the scrotum. It's not necessary to hold the testes during this maneuver; direct exam of the testes is to look for lumps (ie, tumors). Elevating the testes, while not something I've heard of, may be a way of checking the cremasteric reflex -- the cremaster is the muscle which elevates and lowers the testes.

Many thanks for your prompt answer. Now that I know why this is being done it makes sense. I have already passed this info on to my sons (of whom I have three) and they are very grateful. I must say that this answer point is just as good as Ask Jeeves, and may be even better!

the part where he asks you to 'turn your head'
has no medical background though, he just doesn't want you to cough on him.