What congenital defect is characterized by a dorsal urinary meatus?

The condition characterized by a dorsal urinary meatus is epispadias. In this abnormality, the opening of the urethra is located on the upper side (dorsal aspect) of the penis, rather than at the tip. This defect occurs during fetal development when the urethral tube fails to close properly.

Epispadias can have implications for urinary function and may also be associated with other abnormalities, such as bladder exstrophy. Understanding this condition is critical for proper diagnosis and treatment, which often involves surgical intervention to reconstruct the urethra and improve urinary function.

In contrast, hypospadias involves a ventral (underside) placement of the urethral opening, urethral stricture refers to a narrowing of the urethra which can occur due to scarring or injury, and cryptorchidism is the absence of one or both testicles from the scrotum. Each of these conditions presents with different clinical features and requires distinct management approaches.