Secondary sexual characteristics
What is Secondary sexual characteristics
The physical changes that distinguish the genders from each other. Secondary sexual characteristics emerge with PUBERTY and establish sexual and reproductive maturity: males produce viable SPERM capable of causing PREGNANCY, and females produce ripened OVA (eggs) capable of fertilization that results in pregnancy.
| FEMALE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS |
|---|
| growth of pubic and axillary (underarm) HAIR |
| thickened and coarse or dark leg hair |
| enlarged breasts and broadened hips |
| MALE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS |
| growth of pubic, axillary, chest and facial hair |
| thickened, darkened, and coarse arm and leg hair |
| broadened shoulders and chest |
| increased MUSCLE mass and definition |
| deepened voice and prominent Adam’s apple in the THROAT |
| enlarged TESTICLES, enlarged and elongated PENIS |
See also CONCEPTION; CONTRACEPTION; FERTILITY; MENSTRUAL CYCLE; MENSTRUATION; PREGNANCY.
