Physiological Adaptation Q 93
A full-term male has hypospadias. Which statement describes hypospadias?
A. The urethral opening is absent.
B. The urethra opens on the dorsal side of the penis.
C. The penis is shorter than usual.
D. The urethral meatus opens on the underside of the penis.
Correct Answer: D. The urethral meatus opens on the underside of the penis.
Hypospadias is a congenital abnormality in which the urethral meatus is on the underside of the penis. Hypospadias is an anatomical congenital malformation of the male external genitalia. It is characterized by abnormal development of the urethral fold and the ventral foreskin of the penis that causes abnormal positioning of the urethral opening.
Option A: Urethral agenesis is the absence of the urethral opening. Urethral atresia is a rare urethral malformation, which is not compatible with life unless the urachus open in the umbilicus, an alternative communication between the bladder and rectum exists in a form of congenital fistula, or a prenatal placement of a vesico-amniotic shunt established. Terminal renal failure and multiple reconstructive operations have to be expected in the course of the disease.
Option B: The urethral opening is located ventrally, not dorsally, in hypospadias. In hypospadias, the external urethral meatus may present various degrees of malpositioning and may be found with associated penile curvature. Depending on the location of the defect, patients may have an additional genitourinary malformation.
Option C: Penis shorter than usual is not a characteristic of a patient with hypospadias. Key features include a glandular groove and a dorsal hood of the foreskin but in almost all cases the prepuce is incomplete ventrally. In addition, the urethral meatus is usually in an abnormal location. If the infant has a complete foreskin, the hypospadias may become obvious after circumcision.