Sex characteristics
Sex characteristics
Sex characteristics (/sɛks kærəktəˈrɪstɪks/) are physical or physiological differences between males and females that are present due to the influence of sex chromosomes. These characteristics are categorized into two main types: primary sex characteristics and secondary sex characteristics.
Etymology
The term "sex characteristics" is derived from the Latin word "sexus" meaning "sex" and the Greek word "charakter" meaning "characteristic".
Primary sex characteristics
Primary sex characteristics are those that are present at birth and are directly involved in reproduction. In males, these include the penis, testes, prostate gland, and vas deferens. In females, these include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina.
Secondary sex characteristics
Secondary sex characteristics are those that emerge during puberty under the influence of sex hormones. In males, these include the growth of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, and increased muscle mass. In females, these include the development of breasts, widening of the hips, and the start of menstruation.
Intersex
Intersex individuals may have sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. This can include variations in chromosome patterns, gonads, or genital characteristics.
Related terms
- Sexual dimorphism: The physical differences between males and females of a species.
- Gender identity: A person's internal sense of their own gender, whether male, female, or something else.
- Sexual orientation: A person's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, neither gender, or another gender.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sex characteristics
- Wikipedia's article - Sex characteristics
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