What is a karyotype test?A karyotype test looks at the size, shape, and number of your chromosomes. Chromosomes are the parts of your cells that contain your genes. Genes are parts of DNA passed down from your mother and father. They carry information that determines your unique traits, such as height and eye color.People normally have 46 chromosomes, divided into 23 pairs, in each cell. One of each pair of chromosomes comes from your mother, and the other pair comes from your father.If you have more or fewer chromosomes than 46, or if there is anything unusual about the size or shape of your chromosomes, it can mean you have a genetic disease. A karyotype test is often used to help find genetic defects in a developing baby.Other names: genetic testing, chromosome testing, chromosome studies, cytogenetic analysis
