Hypospadias is a birth (congenital) defect in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside, rather than at the end, of the penis.
See also:
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hypospadias affects up to 4 in 1,000 newborn boys.
Some cases are passed down through families. In other cases the cause is unknown.
Review Date: 09/03/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of
Medicine; and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in
Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
