secondary sex characteristic
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Related to Secondary sexual characteristics: Primary sexual characteristics
secondary sex character
a characteristic peculiar to the male or female that develops at puberty (for example, men's beards and women's breasts).
Synonym(s): secondary sex characteristic
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
secondary sex characteristic
n.
Any of various physical characteristics that differ between the sexes but do not have a direct reproductive function, appearing in humans at puberty and in other animals at sexual maturity or during the mating season. Also called secondary sexual characteristic.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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
McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.