Secondary sexual characteristic

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Secondary sex characteristics are traits that distinguish the two sexes of a species, but that are not directly part of the reproductive system. They are believed to have evolved to give an individual an advantage over its rivals in courtship. They are distinguished from the primary sexual characteristics: the sex organs.

Well known secondary sex characteristics include facial hairs of male lions, and long feathers of peacock. In humans, the most visible are breasts of females and beard and moustache of males. Secondary sex characteristics include the tusks of sea lions, the plumage of many male birds, the chemical indicators of many insects, etc.

In humans

Sexual differentiation begins during gestation, when the gonads form. General habitus and shape of body and face, as well as sex hormone levels, are similar in prepubertal boys and girls. As puberty progresses and sex hormone levels rise, differences appear, though puberty causes some similar changes in male and female bodies.

Male levels of testosterone directly induce growth of the testicles and penis, and indirectly (via dihydrotestosterone (DHT)) the prostate. Estradiol and other hormones cause breasts to develop in females. However, fetal or neonatal androgens may modulate later breast development by reducing the capacity of breast tissue to respond to later estrogen.

In males, testosterone directly increases size and mass of muscles, vocal cords, and bones, deepening the voice, and changing the shape of the face and skeleton. Converted into DHT in the skin, it accelerates growth of androgen-responsive facial and body hair. Taller stature is largely a result of later puberty and slower epiphyseal fusion.

In females, breasts are a manifestation of higher levels of estrogen; estrogen also widens the pelvis and increases the amount of body fat in hips, thighs, buttocks, and breasts. Estrogen also induces growth of the uterus, proliferation of the endometrium, and menses.

In humans, secondary sex characteristics include:

• Male
  • growth of body hair, including underarm, abdominal, chest, and pubic hair
  • growth of facial hair
  • enlargement of larynx and deepening of voice^[1]
  • increased stature; adult males taller than adult females, on average
  • heavier skull and bone structure
  • increased muscle mass and strength
  • broadening of shoulders and chest; shoulders wider than hips^[1]
  • increased secretions of oil and sweat glands, often causing acne and body odor ^[1]
  • coarsening of skin texture
  • a prominent Adam's apple
  • fat deposits mainly around the abdomen and waist^{[citation needed]}
  • higher waist to hip ratio than prepubescent or adult females or prepubescent males, on average
  • on average, larger hands and feet than prepubescent or adult females or prepubescent males^{[citation needed]}
  • lower digit ratio, on average^{[citation needed]}

• Female
  • enlargement of breasts^[1]
  • growth of body hair, including underarm and pubic hair
  • vaginal and uterine growth ^[1]
  • increased stature; adult females shorter stature than adult males, on average
  • widening of hips hips^[1]; lower waist to hip ratio than adult males, on average
  • increased secretions of oil and sweat glands, often causing acne and body odor ^[1]
  • changed distribution in weight and fat; more subcutaneous fat and fat deposits mainly around the buttocks, thighs and hips
  • higher digit ratio, on average^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Puberty
• Virilization
• Sex differences in humans
• Sexual dimorphism

Notes

References

"Sexual Maturity." Technical Issues in Reproductive Health. Columbia University. May 2, 2008. <http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/pubhealth/modules/reproductiveHealth/anatomy.html>.

Steinhardt, A. "Sexual Reproduction." Hartnell College. May 2, 2008. <http://www.hartnell.edu/faculty/asteinhardt/>.

• http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/pubhealth/modules/reproductiveHealth/anatomy.html
• http://www.hartnell.edu/faculty/asteinhardt/bg:Вторичен полов белег

cs:Sekundární pohlavní znaky da:Kønskarakteristika de:Geschlechtsmerkmalfr:Caractère sexuel secondaire lt:Antriniai lytiniai požymiai nl:Secundaire geslachtskenmerken ja:第二次性徴 no:Sekundær kjønnskarakter sv:Sekundära könskarakteristika

Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .