Intersexuality - The Intersexual Spectrum

Causes of Intersexuality - Chromosomes

Females: Turner Syndrome (also called Ullrich-Turner Syndrome, Monosomy X)

The term “syndrome” refers to a variety of symptoms that have the same cause. In this case, the syndrome is named after the American physician Henry Turner who described some of its features in the 1930s. Not all possible symptoms are present in each case, but they do have the same cause: Instead of the typical two sex chromosomes (XX or XY), there is only a single X-chromosome while the second one is missing. In shorthand, this condition is called X0. The reason for this is unknown. The absence of a second X-chromosome seems to be a random event. Females with Turner syndrome may have some, many or all the the physical features summarized in the following illustration:

Possible physical features related to Turner syndrome

External short stature extra skin on the neck wide chest breast nipples far apart   possible curvature of the spine (scoliosis) arms that turn out slightly at the elbow short fingers puffy hands and feet   Internal undeveloped ovaries infertility no menstruation Possible problems: heart problems high blood pressure ear and hearing problems shortsightedness learning difficulties thyroid problems kidney problems diabetes osteoporosis

.