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. Females may get the defective gene
either from her mother's defective X, or, if her father has the
disorder, from her father. In either case, the girl will be a
carrier and will probably pass the defect to her offspring. She
will not manifest the disorder the way a boy would, because she has
2 X chromosomes, and the dominant X will compensate for the defect
on the recessive X. Only if a female has 2 parents with the defect
on their X chromosomes will she get a milder form of 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)
