HERMAPHRODITISM. — The coexistence in the same individual of male and female sex glands; normal in certain invertebrates. Young classifies the anomaly, which is possible in the human species, into: lateral true e. (ovary on one side and testis on the other), unilateral true e. (ovary and testis on the same side), and bilateral true e. (an ovary and a testis on both sides).
Extremely rare in man, only 38 certain cases are recorded in the literature, often with familial development; more frequent is apparent e., with sex glands of one type combined with anomalies in the development of the external sexual characteristics, which thus become more or less similar to those of the opposite sex (pseudo-e.).
The testes of true hermaphrodites generally remain in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal, and spermatogenesis, as in cryptorchidism, is inhibited. The ovary also shows signs of degeneration or immaturity. The secondary sexual characteristics are also affected by the anomaly, so that in the same individual there may be some somatic traits of male type and others of female type, generally recalling the characteristics of hypoevoluted eunuchoid individuals. Psychologically, depressive syndromes often arise; hermaphrodites are tormented by a deep sense of inferiority and are emotional and unstable in all their manifestations. Libido is generally absent; sometimes they are driven to homosexuality.
Carlo Pescio
From a moral-legal standpoint, e. must be considered in relation to the validity of reception of the sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony. With regard to the former, since sex is confused, there is also an inability to receive priestly Orders; ordination and the exercise of priestly acts must be positively prevented in view of the serious harm to which invalidity would expose the common good and the rights of others; on the other hand, there is no particular right of the individual to receive sacred Orders (v. IRREGOLARITY).
With regard to marriage, if the hermaphrodite is impotent, he cannot contract marriage; however, marriage cannot be impeded if the impotence (v.) is doubtful (CIC, can. 1068 § 2), and the sex is determinable.