Chordee

Pronounced: kor-DEE

by Deanna M. Neff, MPH

Definition

Chordee causes a sharp curve of the penis. It is most apparent during an erection.

Male Reproductive System

Causes

Chordee develops before birth. It may be caused by tight skin on the bottom of the penis or problems with the urethra. The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body. Chordee may develop if the tube is too short or there is thick tissue around the tube.

Risk Factors

Chordee is more common in children with:

Hypospadias
Family history of hypospadias

Symptoms

Chordee causes the penis to be curved. It does not cause pain.

Diagnosis

The doctor can often see chordee during a physical exam. A specialist may do further tests. Mild chordee may not be found until later in childhood.

Treatment

Mild chordee may not need treatment. The doctor will check for any future problems during regular exams.

Severe chordee may need surgery. Steps to straighten the penis may include:

Remove tissue that is causing curve
Make the longer and shorter sides of the penis equal in length
Lengthen the urethra if the urethra is short

Prevention

The cause of chordee is not clear so there are no clear steps to prevent it.

RESOURCES:

Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.healthychildren.org

Urology Care Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References:

Hypospadias. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypospadias. Accessed September 2, 2020.

Hypospadias/chordee. Cincinnati Children's website. Available at: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/h/hypospadias. Accessed September 2, 2020.

Montag S, Palmer L. Abnormalities of penile curvature: chordee and penile torsion. ScientificWorldJournal. 2011;11:1470-1478.

Snodgrass W. Management of penile curvature in children. Curr Opin Urol. 2008;18(4):431-435.

Tekgul S, Dogan HS, Kocvara R, et al; European Society for Paediatric Urology and European Association of Urology (ESPU/EAU). Guidelines on Paediatric Urology. EAU 2017 Mar.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 9/3/2020

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.