The Anatomy of Puberty… from the Inside-Out from Top-to-Bottom from Beginning-to-End Everything you ever wanted to know about puberty…but were afraid to.

The Anatomy of Puberty… from the Inside-Out

from Top-to-Bottomfrom Beginning-to-End

Everything you ever wanted to know about puberty…but were afraid to ask

December 2010 Richard E. Kreipe, MD, FAAPDivision of Adolescent MedicineGolisano Children’s HospitalUniversity of Rochester Medical Center

ACT for Youth Center of Excellence

Cornell University Family Life Development CenterCornell University Cooperative Extension of New York CityNew York State Center for School SafetyUniversity of Rochester Medical Center Div. of Adolescent Medicine

Text Copyright © 2010 by ACT for Youth Center of Excellence

Outline

Define terms related to puberty

Key internal and external changes in body

Common concerns and normal variants

Resources

Terms Related to Puberty

Gland: organ that produces hormones Hormones: chemical messengers that travel

in the bloodstream to affect other part(s) of the body

Hypothalamus: gland deep in brain that makes hormones to stimulate the pituitary

Pituitary: small gland below hypothalamus that makes hormones (FSH, LH) stimulating sex glands

www.typefreediabetes.com/v/vspfiles/templates/TypeFree/images/images_files/hypothalamus%20&%20pituitary.jpg

Terms Related to Puberty Gland: organ that produces hormones Hormones: chemical messengers that travel in the

bloodstream to affect other part(s) of the body Hypothalamus: gland deep in brain that makes

hormones to stimulate the pituitary Pituitary: small gland below hypothalamus that

makes hormones (FSH, LH) stimulating sex glands Sex glands (gonads)

Ovary: eggs; estrogen, progesterone Testicles (testes): sperm; testosterone

Reproductive organs Uterus (womb) →Vagina → Vulva (labia or lips) Penis and Scrotum (sac or bag)

www.health.com/health/static/hw/media/medical/hw/h9991281_001_1.jpg

www.health.com/health/library/mdp/0,,hw143376,00.html

http://www.netterimages.com/image/9033.htm Publication License NI0003842

Physical Changes of Puberty in Males

Physical Changes of Puberty in Females

Major Features of Puberty

Hormone changes

Sex organ changes (reproductive capacity)

Secondary sex characteristics

Organ changes (eg lymphoid; brain maturation)

Growth Spurt

Weight increase (Girls fat; Boys lean)

Between 10 and 14 years of age, the average girl’s weight increases from 72 to 112 pounds,

a total of 40 pounds!

Additional Features of Puberty

Sequence of events Females

Breast development Growth spurt Menses

Males Testicles enlarge Penis enlarges Growth spurt

Onset and Tempo (Velocity) Early developers grow more quickly in height than

late developers

Average Age for Pubertal Events

8-11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

8.3 cm/yr 9.5 cm/yrPeak Height Velocity

Menses

Breast Black 9 yo; White 10 yo

8-11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Testes

Penis

2

3

Common Adolescent Concerns About Puberty

Onset Too early Too late

Height Too short Too tall

Acne, Body Odor Menstrual periods

Irregular periods normal Ovulation: Pregnancy possible

Nocturnal emissions “Wet Dreams” Ejaculation: Release of sperm

Resources Stages of Adolescent Development

http://www.actforyouth.net/documents/fACT%20Sheet05043.pdf

American Academy of Pediatrics—Healthy Children Website www.healthychildren.org/English/agesstages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/default.aspx

Young Men’s Health.Org www.youngmenshealthsite.org/menu_genhealth.html#puberty

Young Women’s Health.Org

www.youngwomenshealth.org/genhealth_menu.html#puberty

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