Pedigree

Standard symbols are used to draw pedigrees. For example, males are represented by squares and females by circles. The individual who brought the family to the attention of the medical professional or researcher is called a "proband" and is identified on the pedigree by an arrow pointing towards the symbol for that individual. This individual usually has the disorder of interest to the researcher or physician.

The informant is the individual who was interviewed to obtain the pedigree. The informant may or may not be the same person as the proband. The name of the informant, date the pedigree is drawn, and interviewer are also noted on the pedigree. So, too, is the founder of the pedigree, who is the first family member known to have had the disorder.