secondary sex characteristic (redirected from Secondary sexual characteristic)

secondary sex characteristic

n.

Any of various characteristics specific to females or males but not directly concerned with reproduction.

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secondary sex characteristic,

any of the external physical characteristics of sexual maturity secondary to hormonal stimulation that develop in the maturing individual. These characteristics include adult distribution of hair and development of the penis or breasts and the labia.

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secondary,

adj 1. not primary, immediately following the first position; supplemental.
2. directly emerging or resulting from an original source or condition.

secondary bone,

n a second layer of bone tissue that supersedes the original bone as part of the maturation process.

secondary cancer,

n an opportunistic neoplasm imposed on a host with reduced health and resistance resulting from a preceding primary neoplasm or viral infection.

secondary deficiency,

n an inadequacy of nutrients in the diet that is the result of the body's inability effectively to process and use the foods ingested, however healthy those foods might be; may be caused by disease, allergies, or interactions between drugs and nutrients or between two nutrients.

secondary dental caries,

n.pl See caries, recurrent.

secondary dentition,

n See dentition, permanent.

secondary hemorrhage,

n bleeding that develops 24 hours or more after the original injury or surgery. It is often caused by an infection.

secondary infectious disease,

n an opportunistic infection imposed on a host with reduced health and resistance resulting from a preceding infection by a more virulent organism.

secondary prevention,

n an action performed to take care of early symptoms of a disease and preclude the development of possible irreparable medical conditions. See also primary health care and primary prevention.

secondary radiation,

n See radiation, secondary.

secondary sex characteristic,

n an external physical characteristic of sexual maturity that distinguishes one gender from the other, such as the distribution of hair and voice changes.

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secondary sex characteristic

Endocrinology The constellation of changes in hair distribution, body configuration, and genital size in boys or girls at the time of puberty

Secondary Sex characteristic–♂

External genitalia Penis ↑ in length/diameter; scrotum becomes pigmented and rugose

Internal genitalia Prostate, bulbourethral glands, and seminal vesicle enlarge, begin to secrete

Body Shoulders broaden, muscle mass ↑

Hair Hair, hair, everywhere; beard, back, chest, anus

Mental More aggressive, sexual interest awakens

Skin Sebaceous glands ↑, 'Zit Follies' begin

Voice Larynx, vocal cords ↑ in size and/or length; voice deepens

Secondary Sex characteristic–♀

External genitalia ↑ Size breast, vagina

Internal genitalia ↑ Size uterus

Body Shoulders are narrow, hips broad, thighs converge and arms diverge–broad carrying angle

Hair More scalp hair, less body hair, ♀ escutcheon

Voice Nada; voice unchanged