Pubarche refers to the first appearance of pubic hair in a child. Pubarche is one of the physical changes of puberty but should not be equated with it since it may occur independently of complete puberty. Pubarche usually results from rising levels of androgens from the adrenal glands or testes but may also result from exposure of a child to an anabolic steroid. Pubic hair is hair in the frontal genital area, the crotch, and sometimes at the top of the inside of the legs; these areas form the pubic region. ... Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a childs body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. ... Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. ... Grays Fig. ... Human male anatomy The testicles, known medically as testes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. ... Chemical structure of the natural anabolic hormone testosterone, 17b-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one. ...

When pubarche occurs prematurely (in early or mid-childhood), it is referred to as premature pubarche and may warrant an evaluation. Premature adrenarche is the most common cause of premature pubarche. Rarer causes include precocious puberty, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and androgen-producing tumors of the adrenals or gonads. When adrenarche, central puberty, and all pathologic conditions have been excluded, the term isolated premature pubarche is used to describe the unexplained development of pubic hair at an early age without other hormonal or physical changes of puberty. Adrenarche refers to a stage of maturation of the cortex of the human adrenal glands. ... Precocious puberty means early puberty. ... Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting from defects in steps of the synthesis of cortisol from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. ... Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. ... The gonad is the organ that makes gametes. ...

See also

• Puberty
• Adrenarche
• Androgens

Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a childs body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. ... Adrenarche refers to a stage of maturation of the cortex of the human adrenal glands. ... Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. ...

References

e-medicine