Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where on the body does a primary syphilis chancre usually appear?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A primary syphilis chancre typically appears at the site of inoculation, which is most commonly the genital organs.12

Specifically, the lesion usually develops on the:
* Penis1
* Labia1
* Cervix1
* Anorectal region1

While these are the most frequent locations, a chancre can also occur at extragenital sites, most notably on the lips or tongue. Because chancres in women often occur internally, they may sometimes go unnoticed.12