Human Embryology and Teratology
Teaching text 11: Genital system 31: Malformations and anomalies 4
Male external genitalia
Hypospadias (lower urethral opening): The urethral folds have totally or partially failed to close; the secondary urethral groove and thus the urethra remains completely or partially open.
Epispadias (upper urethral opening): This condition is considerably less common than hypospadias. The urethra forms an open groove on the dorsum penis. Epispadias is commonly associated with an exstrophy of the urinary bladder.