At a Glance
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■ TABLE 5.1 Gender Identity as a Biological Process-Typical Prenatal Differentiation |
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Characteristic |
Female |
Male |
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Chromosomal sex |
XX |
XY |
|
Gonadal sex |
Ovaries |
Testes |
|
Hormonal sex |
Estrogens progestational compounds |
Androgens |
|
Internal |
Fallopian tubes |
Vas deferens |
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reproductive structures |
Uterus Inner portions of vagina |
Seminal vesicles Ejaculatory ducts |
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External genitals |
Clitoris Inner vaginal lips Outer vaginal lips |
penis Scrotum |
|
Sex differentiation |
hypothalamus becomes estrogen sensitive, |
Estrogen-insensitive male hypothalamus directs |
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of the brain |
influencing cyclic release of hormones. Two hypothalamic areas are smaller in the female brain Cerebral cortex of right hemisphere is thinner in the female brain. Corpus callosum is thicker in the female brain. Less lateralization of function in the female brain compared to the male brain. |
steady production of hormones. Two hypothalamic areas are larger in the male brain. Cerebral cortex of right hemisphere is thicker in the male brain. Corpus callosum is thinner in the male brain. More lateralization of function in the male brain compared to the female brain. |