hermaphroditism
Last reviewed 01/2018
Hermaphroditism is an extremely rare state in which there are both ovarian and testicular tissues:
- there may be a testis on one side and an ovary on the other; or
- ovotestes may be present; these are a histological mixture of ovary and testis
The development of the internal and external genitalia varies over a continuum between the typically male and female:
- most have a uterus with other ductal structures being more variable
- the phallus varies from a small penis to a large clitoris
- a bifid scrotum may appear as enlarged labia
Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, Cotran, R.S., Kumar, V & Robbins, S.L., 1989, 4th edition, W.B. Saunders Company, p.135