Genital tubercle 1175609 180989056 2007-12-30T14:58:32Z Marnanel 38775 dab {{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}}