Infancy and Childhood: Gender Development

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to gender and biological sexual development throughout infancy and childhood.

Intersexed

A person who possesses both male and female biological traits.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

An inherited condition characterized by a deficiency in cortisol production and an overproduction of adrenal androgens, leading to genital ambiguity.

Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS)

A condition where an XY fetus is insensitive to androgens, resulting in a typically female external genital appearance.

Swyer Syndrome

A condition in which an XY individual lacks the SRY gene, resulting in female development without functional ovaries.

5-Alpha-Reductase Deficiency

A genetic condition where an XY fetus cannot convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, affecting male genital development.

Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY)

A genetic condition causing males to have an extra X chromosome, often resulting in female secondary sexual characteristics.

Turner Syndrome (XO)

A chromosomal disorder affecting females, characterized by the absence of one X chromosome and resulting in various physical and developmental issues.

Default Pathway

The natural developmental path of most fetal tissues towards female unless disrupted by male hormones.

Y Chromosome

The male sex chromosome that determines male sexual characteristics, including the differentiation of testes.

SRY Gene

A gene on the Y chromosome that initiates male sex determination by causing the development of testes.