The labioscrotal swellings (genital swellings or labioscrotal folds) are paired structures in the mammalian embryo that represent the final stage of development of the caudal end of the external genitals before sexual differentiation. In humans, 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.
| Labioscrotal swelling | |
|---|---|
 Stages in the development of the external sexual organs in the male and female. | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | genital tubercle |
| Gives rise to | Labia majora, scrotum |
| System | Reproductive system |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | tuberculum labioscrotale |
| TE | swelling_by_E5.7.4.0.1.0.4 E5.7.4.0.1.0.4 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
References edit
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1214 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ "HSC - Gonad Descent and Development of External Genitalia II". Archived from the original on 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
