Tanner scale

Tanner scale (also known as the Tanner stages or Sexual Maturity Rating) is a scale of physical development in children, adolescents and adults. The scale defines physical measurements of development based on external primary and secondary sexual characteristics, such as the size of the breasts, genitals, testicular volume and development of pubic hair. This scale was first described by James Tanner, a British pediatrician, after a study of the physical development of young males in 1962.

Overview

The Tanner scale is used by pediatricians, physicians, and medical researchers to estimate the maturity of an individual's secondary sexual characteristics. The scale has five stages, ranging from stage 1 (prepubertal) to stage 5 (adult). The stages are not based on age, but rather on the physical changes that occur during puberty. The scale is used in both males and females, but the specific changes measured are different for each sex.

Stages

Males

• Stage 1: Prepubertal. Testes, scrotum and penis of about the same size and proportion as in early childhood.
• Stage 2: Enlargement of the scrotum and testes. The skin of the scrotum also starts to darken.
• Stage 3: Growth of the penis (length at first) and further growth of the testes.
• Stage 4: Increased size of the penis with growth in breadth and development of the glans. The testes and scrotum continue to grow.
• Stage 5: Adult genitalia.

Females

• Stage 1: Prepubertal. No pubic hair. No enlargement of the clitoris.
• Stage 2: Small amount of long, downy hair with slight pigmentation at the base of the hair, similar to the pubic hair of stage 1. Enlargement of the clitoris.
• Stage 3: Hair becomes more coarse and curly, and begins to extend laterally. Further enlargement of the clitoris.
• Stage 4: Adult-like hair quality, extending across pubis but sparing medial thighs. Continued enlargement of the clitoris.
• Stage 5: Adult genitalia. Hair extends to medial surface of the thighs.

Criticisms

The Tanner scale has been criticized for not taking into account the wide variation in the timing and sequence of puberty. Some researchers believe that the scale is too simplistic and does not accurately reflect the complexity of pubertal development.

See also

• Puberty
• Adolescence
• Sexual maturation

Tanner scale Resources
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