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Questions and Answers
What is the period of puberty characterized by?
What is the period of puberty characterized by?
At what age range does puberty typically start in females?
At what age range does puberty typically start in females?
What is responsible for the release of gonadotrophins from the anterior pituitary gland?
What is responsible for the release of gonadotrophins from the anterior pituitary gland?
What is the role of leptin in puberty?
What is the role of leptin in puberty?
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What is the first menstrual cycle period in females?
What is the first menstrual cycle period in females?
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What is the development of the axillary and pubic hair in females?
What is the development of the axillary and pubic hair in females?
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What is the result of the sex hormone release in puberty?
What is the result of the sex hormone release in puberty?
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What is the characteristic feature of puberty in males?
What is the characteristic feature of puberty in males?
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What is the term for the increased secretion of adrenal androgens in both sexes?
What is the term for the increased secretion of adrenal androgens in both sexes?
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In males, which of the following is a result of the enlargement of the larynx and thickening of the vocal cords?
In males, which of the following is a result of the enlargement of the larynx and thickening of the vocal cords?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of pubic hair distribution in females?
Which of the following is a characteristic of pubic hair distribution in females?
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What is the term for the early development of secondary sex characteristics due to early release of sex hormones?
What is the term for the early development of secondary sex characteristics due to early release of sex hormones?
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What is the result of the deposition of subcutaneous fat in females during puberty?
What is the result of the deposition of subcutaneous fat in females during puberty?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of true precocious puberty?
Which of the following is a characteristic of true precocious puberty?
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What is the term for the enlargement of the internal genitalia in females?
What is the term for the enlargement of the internal genitalia in females?
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What is the role of adrenal androgens in both sexes?
What is the role of adrenal androgens in both sexes?
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What is the primary function of the gonadotrophins released during puberty?
What is the primary function of the gonadotrophins released during puberty?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of the embryonic period in puberty?
Which of the following is a characteristic of the embryonic period in puberty?
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What is the primary mechanism by which leptin influences the onset of puberty?
What is the primary mechanism by which leptin influences the onset of puberty?
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What is the term for the abnormal early development of secondary sex characteristics due to genetic or hormonal abnormalities?
What is the term for the abnormal early development of secondary sex characteristics due to genetic or hormonal abnormalities?
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What is the primary function of the sex hormones released during puberty?
What is the primary function of the sex hormones released during puberty?
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Study Notes
Adrenarche
- Increased secretion of adrenal androgens in both sexes
- Leads to the development of secondary sex characteristics
Secondary Sex Characteristics in Males
- Enlargement of internal genitalia (testes, ducts, and gland)
- Enlargement of external genitalia (penis and scrotum)
- Deep voice due to enlargement of the larynx and thickening of vocal cords
- Growth of hair in the face (beard and moustache), pubic area (triangular pattern), axilla, chest, anus, and other body areas
- Emotional changes (more active, aggressive, and interested in the opposite sex)
- Conformational changes (enlargement of muscles and broadening of shoulders)
- Secretion of sebaceous glands (predisposing to acne)
Secondary Sex Characteristics in Females
- Enlargement of internal genitalia (uterus and vagina)
- Enlargement of external genitalia (labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris)
- Enlargement of breasts
- High-pitched voice (no enlargement of the larynx)
- Deposition of subcutaneous fat (specially in breasts and buttocks)
- Development of pubic and axillary hair (triangular pattern with a flat top)
- Emotional changes and conformational changes (broad hips with narrow shoulders)
Abnormalities of Puberty
- Precocious puberty: early development of secondary sex characteristics due to early release of sex hormones (androgens in males, estrogen in females)
- True precocious puberty: associated with gonadotrophin release, enabling gametogenesis
- Pseudo precocious puberty: not associated with gonadotrophin release, not capable of gametogenesis
Puberty
- Definition: the period when the endocrine and gametogenic functions of gonads have first developed to attain reproductive capacity
- Onset: varies according to genetic and environmental factors, typically between 9-13 years in females and 11-15 years in males
- Mechanism of onset: unknown neural mechanism inhibits the release of gonadotrophins and GnRH in children, until CNS maturation initiates their release
- Features of puberty:
- Growth spurt
- Development of secondary sex characters
- Enlargement of reproductive organs
- Attainment of reproductive capacity
- Features of puberty in females:
- Thelarche: development of the breast (an early feature of puberty in females)
- Menarche: first menstrual cycle period
- Pubarche: development of axillary and pubic hair
Definition and Onset of Puberty
- Puberty is the period when the endocrine and gametogenic function of gonads first develop to attain reproductive capacity.
- The onset of puberty varies according to genetic and environmental factors, occurring between 9-13 years in females and 11-15 years in males.
Mechanism of Onset
- Although the anterior pituitary gland of children contains gonadotrophins and their hypothalami contain GnRHs, their release is inhibited by an unknown neural mechanism.
- The release of these hormones is initiated by some sort of CNS maturation, but the exact mechanism is still unknown.
- The maturation initiates the release of GnRH in a pulsatile manner from the hypothalamus, leading to the release of gonadotrophin hormones (FSH & LH) from the anterior pituitary gland.
- The gonadotrophins control the function of the gonads and release of sex hormones (testosterone in males, estrogen and progesterone in females).
Features of Puberty
- Growth spurt
- Development of secondary sex characters
- Enlargement of reproductive organs
- Attainment of reproductive capacity
Features of Puberty in Females
- Thelarche: development of the breast (an early feature of puberty in females)
- Menarche: first menstrual cycle period
- Pubarche: development of axillary and pubic hair
- Adrenarche: increased secretion of adrenal androgens (in both sexes)
Secondary Sex Characteristics
In Males
- Enlargement of internal genitalia (testes, ducts, and gland)
- Enlargement of external genitalia (penis and scrotum)
- Deep voice (due to enlargement of the larynx and thickening of the vocal cords)
- Growth of hair in the face, pubic area, axilla, chest, anus, and other body areas
- Emotional changes (more active, aggressive, and interested in the opposite sex)
- Conformational changes (enlargement of muscles and broadening of shoulders)
- Secretion of sebaceous glands (predisposing to acne)
In Females
- Enlargement of internal genitalia (uterus and vagina)
- Enlargement of external genitalia (labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris)
- Enlargement of breasts
- High-pitched voice (no enlargement of the larynx)
- Deposition of subcutaneous fat (especially in breasts and buttocks)
- Development of pubic and axillary hair (due to adrenal androgens)
- Female pattern of hair distribution at the pubic area (triangular with the apex facing down)
- Emotional changes and conformational changes (broad hips with narrow shoulders)
Abnormalities of Puberty
Precocious Puberty
- Early development of secondary sex characteristics due to early release of sex hormones (androgens in males, estrogen in females)
- The early release of sex hormones may be or may not be associated with gonadotrophin release
- When gonadotrophins are also released, the child becomes capable of gametogenesis (True precocious puberty)
- When gonadotrophins are not released, the child is not capable of gametogenesis (Pseudo precocious puberty)
Causes of Precocious True Puberty
- Unknown
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Description
This quiz covers the topic of adrenarche, the increased secretion of adrenal androgens in both sexes, and its effects on males during puberty. It includes the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as enlargement of genitalia, deepening of the voice, and growth of hair in the face and pubic area.
