The genital system consists of the:
- gonads
- internal genitals
- external genitals
Although the genetic gender (karyotype) of the embryo (46, XX or 46, XY) is already determined at the time of fertilization, undifferentiated genitals - ones that do not differ - arise in both sexes only in the 6th week.
A bit later 18-20 , though, a differentiation occurs - step by step - that is determined by hormonal and genetic factors (inhibiting and/or inducing).
Given the genetic gender, the differentiation of the gonads (ovary or testis) takes place first and is followed by that of the phenotypes (morphologically visible alterations of the internal and external genitals, hair growth, size, etc.). Only then does the differentiation of the psyche (feminine or masculine differentiation of the brain, primarily in the median, preoptic region of the hypothalamus) occur.
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Color code
for the
genital tract module
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Paramesonephros
(Müller): blue
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Mesonephros
(Wolff): fuchsia-violet |
Urogenital sinus (endoderm):
yellow |
Ligaments: brown |
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