The urogenital folds (or urogenital ridges, or urethral folds) are an embryological structure which give rise to a portion of the external genitalia. Gray's Anatomy the Respiratory apparatus ( Apparatus Respiratorius Respiratory system Respiratory apparatus Embryology (from Greek grc ἔμβρυον embryon, "unborn embryo" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the development Intermediate mesoderm is a type of Mesoderm that is located between the Paraxial mesoderm and the Lateral plate. Embryology (from Greek grc ἔμβρυον embryon, "unborn embryo" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the development The labia minora (singular labium minus) or nymphae are two longitudinal Cutaneous folds on the human Vulva. The spongy urethra ( cavernous portion of urethra, penile urethra) is the longest part of the male Urethra, and is contained in the Corpus spongiosum The perineal raphe extends from the Anus, through the mid-line of the Scrotum (scrotal raphe and upwards through the posterior mid-line aspect of the Penis The penis (plural penises, penes Elsevier, the world's largest Publisher of Medical and Scientific literature, forms part of the Reed Elsevier group Embryology (from Greek grc ἔμβρυον embryon, "unborn embryo" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the development A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute

Differentiation

It differentiates into two structures: ^[1]

• gonadal ridge -- medial -- primarily reproductive system
• nephrogenic cord -- lateral -- primarily urinary system

Derivatives

• In the female, the urogenital folds become the labia minora. In Embryology, the gonadal ridge (or genital ridge) is the precursor to the Gonads. The reproductive system is a system of organs within an Organism which work together for the purpose of Reproduction. The nephrogenic cord is a portion of the Urogenital ridge which is the source of much of the Urinary system. The urinary system (also called Excretory system or the genitourinary system (GUS is the Organ system that produces stores and eliminates Urine. The labia minora (singular labium minus) or nymphae are two longitudinal Cutaneous folds on the human Vulva. In contrast, the labia majora are formed by the labioscrotal folds ^[2]
• In the male, they form the spongy urethra and a portion of the shaft of the penis, not including the glans. The labia majora (singular labium majus) are two prominent Longitudinal Cutaneous folds which extend downward and backward from the Mons pubis The labioscrotal folds (or labioscrotal swellings, or genital swellings) are paired structures in the human Embryo that represent the final stage of development The spongy urethra ( cavernous portion of urethra, penile urethra) is the longest part of the male Urethra, and is contained in the Corpus spongiosum The penis (plural penises, penes The glans penis (or simply glans) is the sensitive tip of the Penis.

Pathology

In the male, failure of the urogenital folds to fuse during development leads to a condition known as hypospadias. Hypospadias is a Birth defect of the Urethra in the Male that involves an abnormally placed Urinary meatus (opening

Obsolete meanings

Section of the fold in the mesonephros of a chick embryo of the fourth day. The mesonephros ( Latin for "middle Kidney " is one of three excretory organs that develop in Vertebrates It serves as the main excretory This can also be called urogenital fold, but shouldn't be confused with the main meaning.

Less commonly, urogenital fold refers to the fold in the mesonephros which is the precursor of e. The mesonephros ( Latin for "middle Kidney " is one of three excretory organs that develop in Vertebrates It serves as the main excretory g. the suspensory ligament of the ovary^[3]. The suspensory ligament of the ovary, also infundibulopelvic ligament (commonly abbreviated IP ligament or simply IP) is a fold of Peritoneum This is the case in older versions of Gray's anatomy. See development of the urinary and reproductive organs, particularly the "The Mesonephros, Müllerian Duct, and Genital Gland" section for this meaning. The development of the urinary and reproductive organs as a part of the Prenatal development, concerns the Urinary system and Sex organs.

See also

• Fetal genitalia

External links

• "Development of Male External Genitalia", at mcgill.ca
• "Development of Female External Genitalia", at mcgill.ca
• Urogenital+folds at eMedicine Dictionary

References

1. ^ Netter, Frank H. Fetal genital development refers to the sequence of events which leads to the develoment of the Genitals and their adnexa eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996 by Scott Plantz and Richard Lavely two medical doctors ; Cochard, Larry R. (2002). Netter's Atlas of human embryology. Teterboro, N. J: Icon Learning Systems, 158. ISBN 0-914168-99-1.  
2. ^ HSC - Gonad Descent and Development of External Genitalia II
3. ^ The University of North Texas Health Science Center - Genital System, page 44