There are several X-linked (or sex-linked) recessive genetic
disorders, (hemophilia, muscular dystrophy) which are inherited
through a genetic defect on an X chromosome. A female has 2 X
chromosomes, one she inherited from her mother and one she got from
her father. A male has an X chromosome from his mother and a Y
chromosome from his father. Since male offspring receive their X
chromosome from their mothers, the inheritance of a defect attached
to that one copy of the X will cause the disorder.
Review Date: 03/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood
and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab,
Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. 3/28/10Also reviewed by
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
