title: Histology of the urethral plate: implications for hypospadias repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We define the histology of the urethral plate in boys with hypospadias.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subepithelial biopsies of the urethral plate were obtained in 17 boys, including 13 with distal and 4 with penoscrotal hypospadias. Ventral penile curvature was noted in 5 cases. Specimens were evaluated by 7 light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All biopsies demonstrated well vascularized connective tissue comprised of smooth muscle and collagen. There was no evidence of fibrous bands or dysplastic tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The urethral plate consists of epithelium overlying connective tissue. We found no histological evidence of fibrous cords historically considered responsible for chordee.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Snodgrass
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Plaire
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D014521:Urethra / Q000473:pathology*