View source for Urogenital folds

{{Infobox Embryology |
  Name          = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin         = |
  GraySubject   = 252 |
  GrayPage      = 1206 |
  Image         = |
  Caption       = |
  Image2        = |
  Caption2      = |
  System        = |
  CarnegieStage = |
  Precursor     = [[Intermediate mesoderm]] |
  GivesRiseTo   = [[labia minora]], [[spongy urethra]], [[perineal raphe]], [[penis]] |
  MeshName      = |
  MeshNumber    = |
  DorlandsPre   = f_11 |
  DorlandsSuf   = 12371558  |
}}
{{SI}}
{{CMG}}



==Overview==
The '''urogenital folds''' (or '''urogenital ridges''', or '''urethral folds''') are an [[embryology|embryological]] structure which give rise to a portion of the external [[genitalia]]. 

==Differentiation==
It differentiates into two structures: <ref name="isbn0-914168-99-1">{{cite book |author=Netter, Frank H.; Cochard, Larry R. |title=Netter's Atlas of human embryology |publisher=Icon Learning Systems |location=Teterboro, N.J |year=2002 |pages=158 |isbn=0-914168-99-1 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref>
* [[gonadal ridge]] -- medial -- primarily [[reproductive system]]
* [[nephrogenic cord]] -- lateral -- primarily [[urinary system]]

==Derivatives==
* In the ''female'', the urogenital folds become the [[labia minora]]. In contrast, the [[labia majora]] are formed by the [[labioscrotal folds]] <ref>[http://www.hsc.unt.edu/tcom2006/Scribes/REPRO%201%20SCRIBES/Repro23-MaleFemaleEmbryo2.doc HSC - Gonad Descent and Development of External Genitalia II]</ref>
* In the ''male'', they form the [[spongy urethra]] and a portion of the shaft of the [[penis]], not including the [[Glans penis|glans]].

==Pathology==
In the male, failure of the urogenital folds to fuse during development leads to a condition known as [[hypospadias]].

==Obsolete meanings==
[[Image:Gray1106.png|thumb|300px|left| Section of the fold in the [[mesonephros]] of a chick embryo of the fourth day. 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.g. the [[suspensory ligament of the ovary]]<ref>[http://vanat.cvm.umn.edu/TFFlectPDFs/LectEmbGenitalSys.pdf The University of North Texas Health Science Center - Genital System, page 44]</ref>. This is the case in older versions of Gray's anatomy. See [[development of the urinary and reproductive organs]], particularily the "The Mesonephros, Müllerian Duct, and Genital Gland" section for this meaning.

== See also ==
* [[Fetal genitalia]]

==External links==
* [http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/embryology/ug/Reproductives/Normal/Male_external.html "Development of Male External Genitalia", at mcgill.ca]
* [http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/embryology/ug/Reproductives/Normal/Female_external.html "Development of Female External Genitalia", at mcgill.ca]
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Urogenital+folds}}

==References==
<references/>

{{Development of urinary and reproductive systems}}


[[Category:Embryology]]

{{WH}}
{{WS}}