Female urinary tract
Female urinary tract
Male urinary tract
Male urinary tract
Meatal stenosis
Meatal stenosis


Meatal stenosis

Definition:
Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the opening of the urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body).

Alternative Names:
Urethral meatal stenosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

This condition can affect both males and females, but it is more common in males. In males, it is often caused by inflammation following the circumcision of a newborn. This leads to abnormal tissue growth and scarring across the urethral opening. The problem is usually not detected until the child is toilet trained.

In females, this condition is a congenital (present from birth) abnormality which can cause urinary tract infections and bed-wetting (enuresis).




Review Date: 7/31/2002
Reviewed By: Young Kang, M.D., Department of Urology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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