A birth defect due to malformation of the URETHRA in which the urethral opening is below its normal location. In the male, the malformed urethra generally opens on the ventral surface of the PENIS or on the PERINEUM. In the female, the malformed urethral opening is in the VAGINA. Hypospadias is the displacement of the urethral meatus on the ventrum of the penis. This abnormality is associated with a varyingly bent, twisted penis and opened dorsal prepuce.