Intersex

Definition

Intersex is a term used to describe a variety of conditions in which an individual's reproductive or sexual anatomy doesn't fit the typical definitions of female or male.

Related terms

Hermaphroditism: This is when an organism has both male and female reproductive organs. However, this term isn't typically used for humans because it's very rare for someone to have complete sets of both male and female reproductive systems.

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS): This is one type of intersex condition where a person who is genetically male (XY chromosomes) is resistant to male hormones called androgens. As a result, they may develop physical traits that are typically associated with females.

Klinefelter Syndrome: This is another type of intersex condition where a person has an extra X chromosome - so instead of being XY (typical for males) or XX (typical for females), they're XXY.