Genital Differentiation

"With an XY male genetic configuration, the glans area will develop into the penis. The urethral fold will form the urethral meatus, or opening in the penis. The urethral groove and lateral buttress will fold onto itself and fuse into the shaft of the penis, with the urethra connecting the bladder to the urethral meatus. The anal tubercle will form into the anus and external sphincter. The male glands—the prostate, Cowper’s glands, and seminal vesicles—develop in another process, as do the testicles, which develop inside the abdomen and then drop into the scrotum. For the XX female genetic configuration, the glans becomes the clitoral glans; the urethral fold becomes the urethral meatus; the urethral groove and lateral buttress become the labia minora and majora; and the anal tubercle becomes the anus and external sphincter. The vagina, cervix, ovaries, and uterus form from other tissues. Interestingly, ovaries develop inside the abdomen. These basic fetal tissues differentiate because of the X or Y. In adult sexual partners, these sexual parts function in very similar ways even though their placement and structure differ."