Genital tubercle
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{{Infobox Embryology |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = |
GraySubject = 252 |
GrayPage = 1213 |
Image = Gray1119.png |
Caption = Stages in the development of the external sexual organs in the male and female. |
Image2 = |
Caption2 = |
System = |
CarnegieStage = |
Precursor = [[somatopleure]]<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=159 |isbn=0-914168-99-1 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> |
GivesRiseTo = [[genital swelling]], [[mons pubis]], [[clitoris]], [[penis]] |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = t_21 |
DorlandsSuf = 12827779 |
}}
A '''genital tubercle''' is a body of tissue present in the [[development of the urinary and reproductive organs]]. It forms in the ventral, caudal region of [[mammal]]ian [[embryo]]s of both [[sex]]es, and eventually develops into a [[Phallus (embryology)|phallus]]. In the human [[fetus]] the genital tubercle develops around week 4 of [[gestation]], and by week 9 becomes recognizably either a [[clitoris]] or [[penis]].
Even after the phallus is developed, the term genital tubercle remains, but only as the terminal end of it<ref name="e024"> [http://www.med.unc.edu/embryo_images/unit-genital/genital_htms/genital024.htm The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Embryo images nr 024]</ref>, which develops into either the [[glans penis]] or the [[glans clitoridis]].
The genital tubercle is sensitive to [[dihydrotestosterone]] and rich in [[5-alpha-reductase]], so that the amount of fetal [[testosterone]] present after the second month is a major determinant of phallus size at birth.
==See also==
*[[Sexual differentiation]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{EmbryologySwiss|ugenital/genitexterne01}}
* [http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/embryology/ug/Reproductives/Normal/Male_external.html Overview at mcgill.ca]
{{Development of urinary and reproductive systems}}
[[Category:Embryology]]
{{developmental-biology-stub}}