Boobs and bras
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Bra shopping |
Boobs are a subject of mystery and concern at puberty, both for boys and girls. What are they like? How big should they be?
Once the ovaries start sending oestrogen around the body, a girl's breasts will begin to grow. This process is gradual, taking as much as four years for full development.
The first sign of growth is when the nipples start to stick out from the chest. Behind the nipple, milk ducts begin to grow. Next, the flat circular part of the nipple, the areola, rises and starts to expand. Glands that make sweat and scent develop beneath it.
The breast begins to fill out, as fat is deposited around the nipple. Initially the breasts stick out in a conical shape. As growth continues they gradually round off into an adult shape.
Ready for breast feeding?
The duct system responsible for breast milk starts developing during puberty. Some secretory glands are formed, but the breast will not be capable of producing milk until pregnancy.
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| | Many boys will start to develop breasts in their teenage years
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Many girls notice swelling and tenderness in the breasts just before their period. This is due to the action of female hormones that increase the amount of water retained in the tissues. As the breasts become larger, a bra will need to be worn for support. Bras are a status symbol among some teenage girls and they will often want to wear one before it is necessary.
Male breasts
Many boys will start to develop breasts in their teenage years. This can be quite alarming for them, but it is perfectly normal and the breast tissue will disappear later on. Breast growth in boys - usually around the ages of 12-14 - is caused by a lag in the production of testosterone. Background levels of female hormones may cause the breast to grow.
As soon as testosterone levels increase, they will swamp the female hormone and the breast growth will disappear. Up to a third of boys experience some breast development on one or both sides. This causes great worry and embarrassment for the affected boy.
Testosterone surges also prepare boys for fatherhood, as they start to get erections.
FAQs
Anatomy & Function
The brain is arguably the most important organ in the human body. It controls and coordinates actions and reactions, allows us to think and feel, and enables us to have memories and feelings—all the things that make us human.
What are the 9 systems of the human body? ›
The nine major organ systems in the human body are the integumentary system, the musculoskeletal system, the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the digestive system, the excretory system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the reproductive system.
What are 5 basic parts of the human body? ›
On the outside human anatomy consists of the five basic parts, the head, neck, torso, arms and legs. However, beneath the skin there are countless biological and chemical interactions that keep the human body machine ticking over.
What is the science that deals with the human body and games? ›
Anatomy and physiology, which study the structure and function of organisms and their parts respectively, make a natural pair of related disciplines, and are often studied together. Human anatomy is one of the essential basic sciences that are applied in medicine.
What is the least important organ in the body? ›
The appendix may be the most commonly known organ that's lost its main function in humans. Many years ago, the appendix may have helped people digest plants that were rich in cellulose, according to a 2016 study in the journal Clinical and experimental immunology.
What organ is least sensitive to lack of blood? ›
Thoracic organs (heart and lungs) are the most sensitive to a lack of blood flow, which is why they have the shortest window in which they can be outside the body and still be successfully transplanted. Kidneys are extremely resilient and can be cooled for over a day and be fully functional after transplant.
Which organ helps us to walk? ›
Answer. Answer: Legs help us to walk.
What is the second most important organ in the body? ›
Vital organs
- Brain. The brain is the body's control center. ...
- Heart. The heart is the most important organ of the circulatory system, which helps deliver blood to the body. ...
- Lungs. The lungs work with the heart to oxygenate blood. ...
- Liver. The liver is the most important organ of the metabolic system. ...
- Kidneys.
Just like on the left side of the body, the right side of the body houses a lung and kidney. The majority of the liver is also located on the right side, along with part of the large and small intestines.
What is the human body called in science? ›
Anatomy is the science that studies the structure of the body. On this page, you'll find links to descriptions and pictures of the human body's parts and organ systems from head to toe.
A human anatomist is a medical and biological scientist, who studies the human body with a particular focus on the morphology of the human body and its parts.
What is human body study called? ›
Anatomy is the study of the body's structure. It is a branch of science that investigates organs, bones, structures, and cells that exist in animals and people.
What is the 2 most important organ in the human body? ›
While your heart is a vital organ, the brain (and the nervous system that attaches to the brain) make up the most critical organ system in the human body. The human nervous system is responsible for coordinating every movement and action your body makes.
What are the top 5 most important organs? ›
Vital Organs
They are the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs. The locations of these five organs and several other internal organs are shown in Figure 10.4. 2. If any of the five vital organs stops functioning, the death of the organism is imminent without medical intervention.
What is the master organ of the body? ›
The brain is like a computer that controls the body's functions, and the nervous system is like a network that relays messages to parts of the body.
