Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a common birth condition affecting the male urinary and reproductive system. It occurs when the opening of the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis but somewhere along the underside. This can cause difficulties with urination, such as spraying or an abnormal stream, and may affect sexual function later in life. The condition involves abnormal development of the penis during fetal growth. It is usually noticed soon after birth during a physical exam. The severity varies depending on how far the urethral opening is from its normal position. Surgical correction is often needed to restore normal function and appearance.

Hypospadias is a congenital malformation characterized by an ectopic placement of the urethral meatus on the ventral surface of the penis rather than at the glans tip. It results from incomplete fusion of the urethral folds during embryogenesis, typically between weeks 8 and 14 of gestation. The condition is often associated with a ventral penile curvature called chordee and a dorsal hooded foreskin due to incomplete ventral foreskin development. The etiology involves genetic and environmental factors affecting androgen signaling and penile morphogenesis. Clinically, it is significant because it can impair urinary stream, cause difficulties with sexual intercourse, and may be linked to other genitourinary anomalies. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on physical examination of the external genitalia. Early recognition is important for planning surgical repair to optimize functional and cosmetic outcomes.