Hypospadias

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Image showing hypospadias 
Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a condition in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis, instead of at the tip. The urethra is the tube through which urine drains from your bladder and exits your body.

You may feel distressed if your son is born with hypospadias. However, hypospadias is common and doesn't cause difficulty in caring for your infant. In fact, surgery usually restores the normal appearance of your child's penis. With successful treatment of hypospadias, most males can eventually have normal adult sexual function.

References
  1. Hypospadias. American Urology Association. www.urologyhealth.org/print/index.cfm?topic=96. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
  2. Zaslau S. Hypospadias. In: Zaslau S. SOAP for Urology. Baltimore, Md.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:118-119.
  3. McKee-Garrett TM, et al. Examination of the newborn. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
  4. Cooper CS, et al. Urology. In: Doherty GM, et al. Current Surgical Diagnosis & Treatment. 12th ed. USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2006. www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2069265&print=yes. Accessed Oct. 13, 2008.
  5. Conte FA, et al. Disorders of sexual determination & differentiation. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic & Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2007. www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2633104&print=yes. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.

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Jan. 22, 2009

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