Medical conversations about hypospadias are full of unfamiliar words. This glossary explains common terms in plain language so you can follow what your clinician says, read about your own body, and ask better questions. Definitions are simplified for understanding and are not medical advice.

Tip

It is always okay to ask a clinician, "What does that word mean?" Good clinicians are glad to explain.

Anatomy

Urethra
The tube that carries urine (and semen) from the bladder out of the body.
Meatus (urethral meatus)
The opening at the end of the urethra where urine and semen come out. In hypospadias, it is located on the underside of the penis rather than at the tip.
Glans
The rounded head of the penis.
Shaft
The main length of the penis between the body and the glans.
Foreskin (prepuce)
The fold of skin that can cover the glans. In hypospadias, it is often incomplete on the underside, sometimes described as "hooded." Foreskin tissue is sometimes used in repairs.
Ventral / dorsal
Ventral means the underside of the penis (the side facing down when soft); dorsal means the top side.
Scrotum
The skin pouch holding the testicles.
Testicles (testes)
Glands in the scrotum that make sperm and testosterone.

Types of Hypospadias

Distal hypospadias
The opening is near the tip—on or close to the glans. About half of cases.
Midshaft hypospadias
The opening is along the middle of the shaft. About 30% of cases.
Proximal hypospadias
The opening is near the base of the penis, on the scrotum, or behind it. About 20% of cases; repairs may be more complex and sometimes need more than one surgery.
Glanular / coronal / subcoronal
More specific terms for distal positions—on the glans, at the rim of the glans (corona), or just below it.
Penoscrotal / scrotal / perineal
More specific terms for proximal positions—where the penis meets the scrotum, on the scrotum, or behind it.
Chordee (penile curvature)
A downward bend of the penis, most noticeable with erections. It can occur with hypospadias and may be corrected during surgery.
Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism)
A testicle that has not moved down into the scrotum. Sometimes occurs alongside hypospadias.
Differences of sex development (DSD)
A group of conditions where reproductive anatomy or chromosomes develop differently. Clinicians may check for these in some cases, particularly more proximal hypospadias.

Surgery and Procedures

Hypospadias repair (urethroplasty)
Surgery to extend or rebuild the urethra so the opening is at or near the tip. "Urethroplasty" more broadly means any surgery to reconstruct the urethra.
TIP repair (tubularised incised plate)
A common technique, often used for distal and some midshaft hypospadias, in which the strip of tissue where the urethra should be (the urethral plate) is cut lengthways to widen it and then rolled into a tube.
Urethral plate
The strip of tissue on the underside of the penis that would normally have formed the urethra. Many repairs use it.
Meatoplasty
Surgery to reshape or widen the urethral opening.
Glansplasty
Reshaping of the glans around the new opening.
Orthoplasty
Surgery to straighten penile curvature.
Staged repair
A repair done in two or more operations, usually months apart, to allow healing between steps. Common for proximal or complex cases.
Graft
Tissue moved from another part of the body to help rebuild the urethra. Buccal mucosa (the lining of the inner cheek) is a common source in adults.
Revision (redo) surgery
Surgery to address problems from a previous repair. See Adult Revision Surgery.
Catheter
A thin tube through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine while a repair heals.
Stent
A short tube left in the urethra after surgery, often allowing urine to drip out into a diaper or bag.
Cystoscopy
A procedure using a thin camera to look inside the urethra and bladder.
Uroflowmetry
A simple test measuring the speed and pattern of your urine stream.

Complications

Fistula (urethrocutaneous fistula)
An extra, unintended opening between the urethra and the skin, so urine leaks from two places. A known complication of repair. See Complications & Revision.
Stricture (urethral stricture)
A narrowing of the urethra, often from scar tissue, that can cause a weak, thin, or spraying stream, straining, or infections.
Meatal stenosis
A narrowing of the urethral opening itself.
Diverticulum
A pouch or bulge in the urethra that can trap urine, causing dribbling, swelling, or infection.
Dehiscence
When a repair partly or fully comes apart during healing.
Recurrent chordee
Curvature that returns after being corrected.
Bladder spasm
Sudden bladder cramping, common with a catheter after surgery.

Care Team

Pediatric urologist
A urologist specialising in children; performs most first-time repairs.
Reconstructive urologist
A urologist focusing on rebuilding the urethra and genitals, often the best fit for adult revisions. See Choosing a Surgeon.
Andrologist
A specialist in male reproductive and sexual health. See Fertility & Conception.
Sex therapist
A mental health professional specialising in sexual concerns.

Want the bigger picture? Start with Understanding Hypospadias, or see Myths vs Facts.

This glossary is educational and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified clinician.