This term is usually used to refer to the rather unpleasant
congenital abnormality of exstrophy of the
bladder. This disorder occurs when the bladder fails to complete its
developement, and the
abdominal wall is malformed. The
posterior surface of the bladder is thus exposed.
This, understandably leads to total urinary incontinence. In male infants it is also associated with undescended testes.