Development of the penis during the human fetal period (13 to 36 weeks after conception)
Abstract
PURPOSE: We analyzed the development of the area of the penis and erectile structures (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum) and the thickness of the tunica albuginea during the fetal period (13 to 36 weeks after conception) in humans to establish normative patterns of growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 56 male human fetuses at 13 to 36 weeks after conception. We used histochemical and morphometric techniques to analyze the parameters of total penile area, area of corpora cavernosa, area of corpus spongiosum, and thickness of tunica albuginea in the dorsal and ventral regions using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland). RESULTS: Between 13 and 36 weeks after conception the area of the penis varies from 0.95 to 24.25 mm2. The area of the corpora cavernosa varies from 0.28 to 9.12 mm2, and the area of the corpus spongiosum varies from 0.14 to 3.99 mm2. The thickness of the tunica albuginea varies from 0.029 to 0.296 mm in the dorsal region and from 0.014 to 0.113 mm in the ventral region of the corpora cavernosa. CONCLUSIONS: We found a strong correlation between the total penile area, corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum with fetal age (weeks following conception). The growth rate was more intense during the second trimester (13 to 24 weeks of gestation) compared to the third trimester (25 to 36 weeks). Tunica albuginea thickness also was strongly correlated with fetal age and this structure was thicker in the dorsal vs ventral region.
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The process of masculinization at the external genitalia starts in the late first/early second trimester, and the most intense phase of penile growth occurs later in the second trimester.
“The process of masculinization at the external genitalia starts in the late first/early second trimester, and the most intense phase of penile growth occurs later in the second trimester [8].”
From Alternative (backdoor) androgen production and masculinization in the human fetus (2019) · cites this paper as [8]
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- Authors
- Gallo, C. B. M., Costa, W. S., Furriel, A., Bastos, A. L., & Sampaio, F. J. B.
- Affiliations
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- Venue
- Journal of Urology
- Published
- 2013-11
- Volume
- 190
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1876-1883
- ISSN
- 0022-5347 (ISSN-L)
- 1527-3792
- OpenAlex
- W2061642184
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 0.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Urology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Urological Disorders and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Genital Health and Disease
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Keywords
- penile development, corpus cavernosum, corpus spongiosum, erectile tissue, gestational age
- MeSH terms
- Cadaver, Gestational Age, Humans, Male, Penis, Reference Values
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