Labioscrotal swelling

The labioscrotal folds (or labioscrotal swellings, or genital swellings) are paired structures in the human embryo that represent the final stage of development of the caudal end of the external genitals before sexual differentiation. In both males and females the two swellings merge:

• In the female, they become the posterior labial commissure. The sides of the genital tubercle grow backward as the genital swellings, which ultimately form the labia majora; the tubercle itself becomes the mons pubis. In contrast, the labia minora are formed by the urogenital folds ^[1]
• In the male, they become the scrotum.

The image referenced on the side of this article has erroneously omitted the Prepuce of the male drawing. Although this is a common representation of the male genital state in cultures were genital mutilation of the penis is commonly practiced, the prepuce will develop in both males and females.

References

1. ^ HSC - Gonad Descent and Development of External Genitalia II

External links

• "Development of Male External Genitalia", at mcgill.ca
• "Development of Female External Genitalia", at mcgill.ca
• Diagram at mhhe.com
• Swiss embryology (from UL, UB, and UF) ugenital/genitexterne01
• MedEd at Loyola urology/nlpendv.htm

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.