PUBERTY
As mentioned, the burst of male hormones in male fetuses affects
the brain (hypothalamus), changing the pattern of hormonal secretion and
behavior. In both sexes, the gonads
(ovary and testis) remain dormant until they are activated by secretions from
the pituitary to bring about the final maturation of the reproductive system.
This period of final maturation is known as adolescence. It is also known as pu-berty. However, physiologically, puberty is the periodwhen the
endocrine and gamete-producing functions of the gonads have first developed to
where repro-duction is possible. The age at puberty has decreased over the
years. In recent years, puberty tends to occur between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls
and 9 and 14 in boys.
In females, adolescence begins with the develop-ment of breasts and
axillary and pubic hair, followed by the first menstrual period (menarche). The phys-iologic changes
that occur with the menstrual cycle are described later.
The body changes that occur at puberty in males are enlargement of
the external and internal geni-talia, voice changes, hair growth, mental
changes, and changes in body conformation and skin. The pe-nis increases in
length and width and the scrotum be-comes pigmented and rugose (wrinkled). All
internal organs increase is size. The larynx enlarges, with thickening of the
vocal cords and deepening of the voice. Body hair, in general, increases and
hair begins to appear on the face, axilla, chest, and pubis. Men-tally, the
person becomes more interested in the op-posite sex. There is a predisposition
to acne as the se-baceous gland secretions thicken and increase.
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