---
title: "Cloacal Abnormalities"
url: https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cloacal-abnormalities/
description: "As a baby develops, three openings normally form for the intestinal, genital and urinary tracts. In early stages of pregnancy, these three openings are..."
---

# Cloacal Abnormalities

As a baby develops, three openings normally form for the intestinal, genital and urinary tracts. In early stages of pregnancy, these three openings are together in a sac called "Cloaca." They then separate from each other to form the anus, vagina and urethra. In rare cases, this area may develop incorrectly. A "persistent cloaca" may form if these tracts fail to separate from each other. This is when the intestinal, genital and urinary tracts open into one common cavity, with one opening on the skin where the vaginal opening would be. A newborn with this defect has no visible anus (the opening where feces leave the body). Everything else on the outside usually looks normal. Cloacal anomalies can affect 1 in every 50,000 babies.

Archived from the 2024 edition

## Overview

In some cases the three tracts come together at a low point close to the skin. Since it is close to the skin, the "common channel" is short. These girls usually pass urine without problems.

In more severe cases the three tracts come together at a high point. Thus, the common channel is long, so draining urine and feces is more difficult. Urinary tract infections are common.

## In this entry

The archived page carried these sections, in this order.

- Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- After Treatment
- Explore Further

## Other entries in Pediatric and Congenital Urology

- [Ambiguous (Uncertain) Genitalia](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/a_/ambiguous-(uncertain)-genitalia/)
- [Cloacal Exstrophy](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cloacal-exstrophy/)
- [Congenital Vaginal Obstruction](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/congenital-vaginal-obstruction/)
- [Cryptorchidism](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cryptorchidism/)
- [Epispadias](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/e/epispadias/)
- [Hypospadias](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/h/hypospadias/)
- [Meatal Stenosis](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/m/meatal-stenosis/)
- [Urinary Tract Infections in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-tract-infections-in-children/)

### Source of this entry

- Original address**/urology-a-z/c/cloacal-abnormalities/**
- Edition**2024 edition**
- Group**Pediatric and Congenital Urology**

### This is not medical advice

These pages are archived reference copies of material published on this domain. They are not medical advice, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for talking with a health professional.

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