FRATERNAL TWINS Meaning and
Definition
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Fraternal twins, also known as dizygotic twins, are a type of multiple birth in which two offspring are conceived and develop together in the womb, sharing the same maternal environment of growth. Fraternal twins are distinct from identical twins, as they result from the fertilization of two separate eggs by two different sperm cells. As a result, fraternal twins are no more genetically similar to each other than any other siblings born at different times.
The incidence of fraternal twins varies among different populations and is influenced by several factors, such as genetic predisposition and maternal age. Unlike identical twins, who possess the same genetic makeup due to their formation from a single fertilized egg splitting into two embryos, fraternal twins can be of different genders and may resemble each other just as much or as little as any other siblings do.
Fraternal twins may share the same gestational period, but they exhibit individual differences and develop separate amniotic sacs and placentas in the uterus. Their physical characteristics, such as hair and eye color, can vary just as much as they would among non-twin siblings, as their genetic composition is unique to each individual. Fraternal twins are common in many cultures and societies and are typically born within a few minutes or hours of each other.
Overall, fraternal twins are a result of separate fertilizations and are not genetically identical, displaying the same degree of similarities or differences that would be expected among any siblings.
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Twins derived from different ova and having different hereditary characters.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FRATERNAL TWINS
- draternal twins
- craternal twins
- vraternal twins
- graternal twins
- traternal twins
- rraternal twins
- featernal twins
- fdaternal twins
- ffaternal twins
- ftaternal twins
- f5aternal twins
- f4aternal twins
- frzternal twins
- frsternal twins
- frwternal twins
- frqternal twins
- frarernal twins
- frafernal twins
- fragernal twins
- frayernal twins
Etymology of FRATERNAL TWINS
The word "fraternal" is derived from the Latin word "fraternus", which means "brotherly". This term refers to twins who are born from two separate eggs fertilized by two different sperm cells at the same time. It emphasizes the fact that fraternal twins share a similar sibling bond, just like biological brothers or sisters.
