Development Animation - Urogenital Sinus

From Embryology
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<Flowplayer width="356" height="500" autoplay="true">Urogenital_sinus_001.flv</Flowplayer>

Quicktime version

Urogenital Sinus and Renal Development

This animation gives an overview of both early renal and genital (urogenital) development associated with the urogenital sinus.

First observe the development of the intermediate mesoderm.

  • This looped animation shows the 3 stages of kidney development (pink) in relation to the hindgut region between Week 4 and 5.
  • The earliest stage of kidney development begins up near the pharyngeal arches as the pronephros (cervical nephrotomes) which quickly degenerate, beside these the mesonephric duct begins to form (purple).
  • The next stage is the extensive mesonephros (red) which extends down towards the developing hindgut region (yellow). Associated with the mesonephros is the mesonephric duct (purple).
  • The mesonephric duct gives off a lateral branch forming the ureteric bud.
  • The ureteric bud interacts with the surrounding mesenchyme to begin the final stage in renal development, formation of the metanephros (pink) which will form the adult kidney.


Next observe the changes occuring in the hindgut region (yellow) ending in the embryo at the cloaca.

  • The posterior portion (nearest the mesonephros) remains as the gastrointestinal tract hindgut forming the rectum.
  • The anterior portion (extends into the connecting stalk as the allantois)
    • becomes separated from the hindgut and forms the urogenital sinus, primordia of the urinary bladder.
    • The two mesonephric ducts initially open into the urogenital sinus.


Links: Quicktime version | Quicktime movie | Animation - Renal Development | Renal System Development