Median raphe (parameatal) cysts of the penis

PURPOSE: Although median raphe cysts of the penis have been widely reported the pathogenesis is obscure. We describe the microstructural detection of 3 cases of median raphe to study the true pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients presented to our clinic of plastic surgery complaining of abnormal shape of the penis or mass recurrence. High magnification light microscopy and electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS: Microstructural study revealed that all 3 cases had similar findings to those of the common urethral mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Median raphe cysts are derived from the external paraurethral ducts and contain features that to our knowledge have not been previously reported.