androgen insensitivity syndrome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “androgen insensitivity syndrome” mean?
A genetic condition where a person with XY chromosomes is resistant to male sex hormones (androgens), resulting in varying degrees of female physical development despite having male chromosomes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A genetic condition where a person with XY chromosomes is resistant to male sex hormones (androgens), resulting in varying degrees of female physical development despite having male chromosomes.
A spectrum of intersex conditions (complete, partial, mild) characterized by impaired response to androgens during fetal development and puberty, affecting sexual differentiation and secondary sex characteristics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use the same full term and abbreviation AIS.
Connotations
Neutral medical terminology in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “androgen insensitivity syndrome” in a Sentence
Patient presents with androgen insensitivity syndrome.The diagnosis was androgen insensitivity syndrome.Research into androgen insensitivity syndrome continues.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “androgen insensitivity syndrome” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition is characterised by the body's inability to respond to androgens.
American English
- The condition is characterized by the body's inability to respond to androgens.
adverb
British English
- The cells reacted insensitively to the administered hormone.
American English
- The cells reacted insensitively to the administered hormone.
adjective
British English
- The androgen-insensitive tissue failed to develop typically.
American English
- The androgen-insensitive tissue failed to develop typically.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and gender studies literature.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of personal medical contexts or advocacy discussions.
Technical
Standard term in endocrinology, genetics, and pediatrics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “androgen insensitivity syndrome”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “androgen insensitivity syndrome”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “androgen insensitivity syndrome”
- Misspelling as 'androgen insensivity syndrome' (missing 't').
- Using the outdated and potentially offensive term 'testicular feminization' in modern contexts.
- Confusing it with other intersex variations like Klinefelter syndrome.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. AIS is an intersex condition related to genetic and hormonal development. Being transgender is about gender identity, which is separate from one's intersex status.
Individuals with Complete AIS (CAIS) are typically infertile. Fertility potential in Partial AIS (PAIS) varies greatly and is assessed on an individual basis.
No, it is classified as a difference in sexual development (DSD) or intersex variation. The focus is on health management and support, not 'curing' a disease.
Diagnosis often involves genetic testing (karyotype), hormone level assessments, imaging studies, and sometimes a physical examination, typically prompted by atypical pubertal development or inguinal hernias in infants.
A genetic condition where a person with XY chromosomes is resistant to male sex hormones (androgens), resulting in varying degrees of female physical development despite having male chromosomes.
Androgen insensitivity syndrome is usually technical/medical in register.
Androgen insensitivity syndrome: in British English it is pronounced /ˈændrədʒən ɪnˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪti ˈsɪndrəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈændrədʒən ɪnˌsɛnsəˈtɪvədi ˈsɪndroʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANDROGEN INSENSITIVITY SYNDROME: Androgens (male hormones) can't be sensed (insensitivity) by the body, causing a specific set of features (syndrome).
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'biological miscommunication' or 'hormonal signal failure' where the body's receptors do not 'listen' to androgen messages.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of androgen insensitivity syndrome?