Sexual Development - Glossary of Terms

Adrenal glands:

a pair of glands in males and females, located above the kidneys, which produce a number of hormones, including androgens

Androgens:

the main hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone secreted from the testes

Estrogen:

the primary hormones produced by the ovaries

Genital folds:

common to both males and females early in development. In males the genital folds develop into the scrotum and in females develop into the labia majora

Genital ridges:

fetal tissue that can develop into either an ovary or a testis

Genital tubercle:

common to both males and females early in development. In males the genital tubercle develops into a penis and in females develops into the clitoris.

Intersexuality:

An alternative term for hermaphroditism

Karyotype:

A photograph of a person's chromosomes, arranged according to size

Mullerian ducts:

A system present in both sexes early in fetal development. Upon development this system differentiates into a uterus, fallopian tubes and posterior portion of the vagina.

Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS):

Produced by the Sertoli cells, and inhibits Mullerian duct formation

Ovary:

female gonad which manufactures estrogens and eggs

SRY:

a gene on the Y chromosome whose product instructs the fetal germinal ridge to develop into a testis

Testes:

male gonad which manufactures testosterone and sperm

Urethral folds:

common to both males and females early in development, in males the urethral folds develop into the urethra and corpora and in females into the labia minora.

Wolffian ducts:

a system present in both sexes early in fetal development; upon development, this system differentiates into the epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles

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