Do all fetuses start out with what would become a clit?

Questions and discussions about gender, gender roles and identity.
KurtisC
not a newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2020 12:06 pm
Age: 36
Awesomeness Quotient: I'm a neon light artist
Pronouns: he him
Sexual identity: idk i like girls
Location: uk

Do all fetuses start out with what would become a clit?

Unread post by KurtisC »

During the first 60 days of pregnancy do all fetuses have what would grow into a clitoris as long as the fetus doesn't start making testosterone?
Marisha
not a newbie
Posts: 104
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2020 5:30 pm
Age: 25
Awesomeness Quotient: Aspiring sex educator
Primary language: English
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: Bi
Location: USA

Re: Do all fetuses start out with what would become a clit?

Unread post by Marisha »

Hi KurtisC,

Great question! So you're not exactly wrong, on both timeline and fetal development. But the external genitalia (and internal reproductive system) of a fetus is neither male nor female before the sex hormones are triggered. They resemble something in between, and certain structures that we would call "homologous," or organs that are similar in structure but different in function, will typically become what we know as the male and female reproductive systems once those hormones 'kick in.' So for example, the labia of the vulva or the scrotum which holds the testicles start out as an in-between structure known as the labioscrotal swelling until about the 7-8th week mark.

Here are some links that will tell you more!
Embryonic-fetal Differentiation of the External Reproductive Organs (has audio)
What happens in the second month of pregnancy?
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post