autosomal dominant inheritance

Definition of autosomal dominant inheritance

autosomal dominant inheritance

(AW-toh-SOH-mul DAH-mih-nunt in-HAYR-ih-tunts)
One of the ways a genetic trait or a genetic condition can be passed down (inherited) from parent to child. In autosomal dominant inheritance, a genetic condition can occur when the child inherits one copy of a mutated (changed) gene from one parent. A child who has a parent with the mutated gene has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutated gene.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms