The determination of an individual's karyotype, the total chromosome complement of typical body cells, as seen on a photomicrograph (karyogram). Karyotyping can be used for gender verification (sex testing) because the Y chromosome (one of the pair of chromosomes that determine sex) in males has a very distinctive appearance.

The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved.