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Sexual characteristics are physical traits of anorganism (typically of asexually dimorphic organism) which are indicative of or resultant from biologicalsexual factors. These include bothprimary sex characteristics, such asgonads, andsecondary sex characteristics.
In humans,sex organs or primary sexual characteristics, which are those a person is born with, can be distinguished fromsecondary sex characteristics, which develop later in life, usually duringpuberty. The development of both is controlled bysex hormones produced by the body after the initial fetal stage where the presence or absence of theY-chromosome and/or theSRY gene determine development.
Male primary sex characteristics are the penis, the scrotum and the ability toejaculate when matured. Female primary sex characteristics are the vulva, vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, and the ability to givebirth andmenstruate when matured.[1]
Hormones that express sexual differentiation in humans include:
The following table lists the typical sexual characteristics in humans (even though some of these can also appear in other animals as well):
| Level of definition | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Biological levels (Sex) | ||
| Sex chromosomes | XX in humans | XY in humans |
| Primary sexual characteristics | ||
| Gonads | ovaries | testicles |
| Levels ofsex hormones | highestrogen andgestagens (includingprogesterone); lowandrogens (includingtestosterone) | highandrogens (includingtestosterone) |
| Anatomy of internalgenitalia | clitoral crura,vagina,uterus,fallopian tubes | corpora cavernosa,prostate,vas deferens,seminal vesicles |
| Anatomy of externalgenitalia | vulva, which includes theglans clitoridis,labia,clitoral hood andvaginal opening | scrotum,penis,foreskin, fusedperineum |
| Secondary sexual characteristics | ||
| Largerbreasts, wider hips, shorter height, morebody fat, lessmuscle mass, less facial hair, less body hair, higher vocal pitch frequency, less lung capacity,[2] smaller heart[3] | morefacial hair, morebody hair, smaller breasts, lower drop in vocal pitch frequency, development of "triangular" body form, taller height, less body fat, more muscle mass, narrower hips, more lung capacity,[4] larger heart[3] | |
| Both sexes | Pubic hair,underarm hair | |
Ininvertebrates andplants,hermaphrodites (which have both male and female reproductive organs either at the same time or during their life cycle) are common, and in many cases, the norm.
In other varieties of multicellular life (e.g. thefungi division,Basidiomycota), sexual characteristics can be much more complex, and may involve many more than two sexes. For details on the sexual characteristics of fungi, see:Hypha andPlasmogamy.
Secondary sex characteristics in non-human animals include manes of malelions, long tail feathers of malepeafowl, the tusks of malenarwhals, enlargedproboscises in maleelephant seals andproboscis monkeys, the bright facial and rump coloration of malemandrills, and horns in manygoats andantelopes.[5]
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