Concept about Puberty – The course is designed for the basic understanding of anatomical structures and physiological functions of human body, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, respiratory system; cardiovascular system; urinary system, endocrine system, reproductive system, nervous system, hematologic system, sensory organs, integumentary system, and immune system.The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills regarding anatomy and physiology.
Concept about Puberty
Definition
Puberty in girls is the period, which links childhood to adulthood. It is the period of gradual development of secondary sexual characters.
There are profound biological, morphological, and psychological changes that lead to full sexual maturity and eventually fertility.
Morphological changes:
As described by Tanner and Marshall, five important physical changes are evident during puberty. These are breast, pubic and axillary hair growth, growth in height, and menstruation.
Most of the changes occur gradually but only the menarche can be dated. Moreover, there is a lot of variations in the timing of the events. The most common order is beginning of the growth spurt → breast budding (thelarche) pubic and axillary hair growth (adrenarche) peak growth in height menstruation (menarche).
All these changes are usually completed between the age of 10 and 16 years.
Important controlling factors for onset of puberty are genetic, nutrition, body weight, psychologic state, social and cultural background, exposure to light and others. A girl, living in urban areas with good nutrition, adequate body weight and whose mother and sisters have early menarche, starts puberty
early. Blind girls start menarche early.
(Ref: DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics, 7th edition, 2013)
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