Urogenital Sinus

Urogenital sinus, persistent urogenital sinus, persistent cloaca all refer to a rare congenital abnormality in the normal division into bladder, urethra, and vagina during fetal growth.

Urogenital sinus, persistent urogenital sinus, persistent cloaca all refer to a rare congenital abnormality in the normal division into bladder, urethra, and vagina during fetal growth.

In the female, occasionally the urinary and reproductive tracts do not separate, the urethra and vagina continue to share the same channel. The female infant is therefore born with only two openings, the rectum and a common opening for both vagina and bladder. Urine from the bladder can fill the vagina; a condition called hydrocolpos or hydrometrocolpos.

According to how far up in the system the conjoining occurs, various surgical options are available to correct the condition and allow for normal urinary and sexual function.