Perineal raphe

The perineal raphe is a visible line or ridge of tissue on the body that extends from the anus through the perineum to the scrotum (male) or the vulva (female). It is found in both males and females, arises from the fusion of the urogenital folds, and is visible running medial through anteroposterior, to the anus where it resolves in a small knot of skin of varying size.

Perineal raphe
Details
Precursor	Urogenital folds
Identifiers
Latin	raphe perinei
TA98	A09.5.00.002 A09.4.01.013 A09.4.03.002
TA2	3698
FMA	20244
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

In males, this structure continues through the midline of the scrotum (scrotal raphe) and upwards through the posterior midline aspect of the penis (penile raphe). It also exists deeper through the scrotum where it is called the scrotal septum. It is the result of a fetal developmental phenomenon whereby the scrotum and penis close toward the midline and fuse.^[1]

In females, the raphe consists in most cases of normal skin and is not clearly visible. In around 10% of the population the raphe is present as a ridge of skin, in around 25% of the population the raphe has rough pathes of skin or diagonal ridges on one or both sides of the midline ^[2]

See also

• Embryonic and prenatal development of the male reproductive system in humans
• Frenulum of penis
• Linea nigra
• Raphe

Images

• 
  Stages in the development of the external sexual organs in the male and female
• 
  Perineal and scrotal raphe
• 
  Perineal raphe in female