Hermaphrodite

Hermaphrodite is a term which comes from Hermaphroditus, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite. It is used as a scientific term in biology.

In zoology, an animal that can produce both sperm and ova is a hermaphrodite. As an example, most earthworms are hermaphrodites. A simultaneous hermaphrodite has both sets of sex organs throughout life. A sequential hermaphrodite has ovaries at first that is replaced by a testis later or the other way round.[1]

In botany, hermaphrodite is used for 'complete' flowers with both male and female parts and for plants with bisexual reproductive units. See flowering plant sexuality for details.[2]

With people, the term hermaphrodite is not correct because true functioning hermaphrodites are not possible in humans. What sometimes happens is errors in development that lead to intersex people. A definition of intersex is the following:

"... individuals of a bisexual species that have characteristics intermediate between the male and female".[1]

Intersex people may have a very small penis and no testicles, or a very small and short vagina and a large clitoris that looks like a penis.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 King R.C. Stansfield W.D. & Mulligan P.K. 2006. A dictionary of genetics. 7th ed, Oxford University Press, p202 and 234. ISBN 0-19-530761-5
  2. ↑ Molnar S. 2004. Plant reproductive systems
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