TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Anatomic Disorders A1 - Hoffman, Barbara L. A1 - Schorge, John O. A1 - Bradshaw, Karen D. A1 - Halvorson, Lisa M. A1 - Schaffer, Joseph I. A1 - Corton, Marlene M. PY - 2016 T2 - Williams Gynecology, 3e AB - Early in life, embryos of male and female sex are indistinguishable from one another (Table 18-1). At critical stages of embryonic development, insults can lead to congenital anatomic disorders of the reproductive tract. Influences include genetic mutation, epigenetic factors, developmental arrest, or abnormal hormonal exposures. Disorders range from congenital absence of the vagina and uterus, to lateral or vertical fusion defects of the müllerian ducts, to external genitalia that are ambiguous. Sexual differentiation is complex and requires both hormonal pathways and morphologic development to be normal and correctly integrated. Thus, it is not surprising that neonates with genital anomalies often have multiple other malformations. Associated urinary tract defects are especially frequent and are linked to the concurrent embryonic development of both reproductive and urinary tracts (Hutson, 2014). SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1125287721 ER -