Puberty Flashcards
The process of reproductive and sexual development by which a child becomes an adult is
Puberty
Define puberty
Puberty can be defined as a sequence of events by which a child becomes an adult, characterized by beginning of gonadotropin secretion, gametogenesis, release of gonadal hormones, development of reproduction function and secondary sexual characteristics
Puberty usually involves which types of changes?
Sexual changes (physical changes) and hormonal changes (that occur around reproductive organs)
Puberty typical requires how many years in girls
5 years
In girls, puberty typically occurs between ages
8 to 13 (but it extends to 16)
Five events that occur in puberty are?
- Breast development
- Pubic hair growth
- Axillary hair growth
- Menarche
- Growth spurt
What is therlache?
Therlache is the appearance of breast tissue
Onset of puberty is signalled by?
Secretion of pulses of GnRH (GnRH is secreted in a pulsatile manner)
What happens around age 8 in human females?
There is a gradual change in the production of GnRH, which then leads to the production of FSH (nocturnal at first, then daytime with increasing frequency and amplitude)q
FSH acts mainly on?
Ovaries
The action of FSH on follicles lead to the production of?
Gonadal hormones
Ovaries produce?
Estrogen, Progesterone and Androgens
Action of Estrogen?
Estrogen stimulates the development of breast and reproductive organs
Action of Progesterone:
Stimulates glandular development of breast and secretory endometrium
What is Adrenarche and what does it result into?
Adrenarche is the activation of the adrenal gland and it results in the production of adrenal androgens like Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA sulfate) which stimulate pubic and axillary hair growth.
How does growth spurt occur in girls going through puberty?
Increased GH secretion during puberty contributes to rapid somatic growth
Puberty is measured by which three factors?
Timing, Sequence and Tempo
Tanner classified breast and pubic hair development into how many stages each?
Five
List the stages of breast development according to Tanner
Stage 1 - Elevation of the papillae (Prepubertal)
Stage 2 - Elevation of breast and papillae as a small mound with increased areolar diameter (bud stage)
Stage 3 - further enlargement without separation of breast and areola
Stage 4 - secondary mound of areola and papillae above breast
Stage 5 - Recession of areola in contour of breast
What are the stages of pubic hair growth according to Tanner?
Stage 1- No pubic hair
Stage 2- Sparse, long, slightly pigmented hair on the labia majora
Stage 3 - Dark, coarse, curly hair sparsely spread over mons.
Stage 4 - Abundant, adult-type hair limited to the mons
Stage 5 - Adult type, abundant hair spread in quantity and distribution.
What is precocious puberty?
Onset of puberty before age 8 in girls
What is delayed puberty?
When there is no sign of secondary sexual characteristics by age 14
Puberty is controlled by what system?
Neuro-endocrine system
