Clinical Definition

The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome, which determines gender. Typically, each cell in the body has 23 pairs of chromosomes, or a total of 46, with one pair of sex chromosomes.  Males typically have one X and one Y; females typically have two X chromosomes.

In Our Own Words

The Y chromosome is one of the sex chromosomes. The other is the X chromosome. Each cell in the body typically has 23 pairs of chromosomes, or a total of 46. One pair are sex chromosomes. Men typically have one Y and one X; women typically have two X chromosomes. Chromosomes have the DNA that regulates how the body grows and functions. The X and Y chromosomes are the genetic material that determines if a person becomes male or female.