1. Chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes; in humans, the 22 pairs of chromosomes other than the X and Y chromosomes.
Usage: plural of autosome; used in genetics and biology

Examples

• Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes.
• Autosomal dominant disorders are inherited through autosomes rather than sex chromosomes.
• The geneticist studied mutations on the autosomes to understand the inheritance pattern.
• Most genetic traits are controlled by genes located on autosomes.
• Autosomal recessive conditions require two copies of a mutant gene on autosomes to be expressed.