But primary sex characteristics other than genitals – such as sex chromosomes; gonads, or the ovaries and testes; hormones and hormone receptors; and internal reproductive ducts that transport eggs or sperm cells – can differ in their “femaleness” or “maleness,” making the color spectrum analogy misleading. For example, someone who has a Y chromosome but complete androgen insensitivity – meaning their cells do not respond to androgens at all – develops testes hidden in their abdomen as well as typically female genitals. After puberty, they typically have a high-pitched voice, breasts and no coarse body hair. In appearance, most would consider them typically feminine. This person cannot accurately be placed in one location on a sex spectrum because their sex-related biological traits differ in their femaleness or maleness.

