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Our Puberty Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Puberty

Definition of Puberty

Puberty: A complex biologic and psychologic process involving sexual development, accelerated growth, and adrenal maturation heralded by the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This event is the first known step in the reproductive cascade. It initiates the pulsatile release of gonadotropins, gonadal secretion of sex steroids, pubertal development, and gametogenesis (the production of sperm and ova).

The word puberty derives from the Latin pubertas: coming to the age of manhood.


Last Editorial Review: 10/23/2003

Common Misspellings: purberty

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