genital tubercle
Quick Summary
The genital tubercle is a temporary structure that develops during prenatal development. It is an early embryonic structure that contributes to the formation of external genitalia in both males and females.
In both sexes, the genital tubercle, along with urogenital folds and genital swellings, forms during the second month of gestation. For a period, the developing sex is indistinguishable, known as the indifferent stage. By three months, these structures begin to differentiate.
In males, the genital tubercle and united urogenital folds merge to form the penis. In females, the genital tubercle remains smaller and develops into the clitoris. The urogenital folds do not close and become the labia minora, while the genital swellings develop into the labia majora.12
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