Secondary sex characteristic
Secondary Sex Characteristic
Secondary sex characteristics (pronunciation: /ˈsɛkəndɛri sɛks ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪks/) are physical or behavioral traits that distinguish males from females, but are not directly involved in reproduction. They typically emerge during puberty and are influenced by sex hormones.
Etymology
The term "secondary sex characteristic" was first used in the early 20th century. It is derived from the Latin words "secundus" meaning "second" and "sexus" meaning "sex". The term "characteristic" comes from the Greek word "kharaktēr" which means "engraved mark".
Types
Secondary sex characteristics can be divided into two main categories: Physical Secondary Sex Characteristics and Behavioral Secondary Sex Characteristics.
Physical Secondary Sex Characteristics
In males, these may include the development of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, and increased muscle mass. In females, these may include the development of breasts, widening of the hips, and the start of menstruation.
Behavioral Secondary Sex Characteristics
These are behaviors that differ between males and females, such as aggression in males and nurturing behavior in females. These behaviors are influenced by both biological and social factors.
Related Terms
- Primary Sex Characteristics: These are the physical and physiological features that are directly involved in reproduction.
- Sexual Dimorphism: This is the condition where the two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs.
- Puberty: This is the period in life when a person becomes sexually mature.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Secondary sex characteristic
- Wikipedia's article - Secondary sex characteristic
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