Adolescent physiology

Abstract

Adolescence is a time of many changes anatomically, physiologically, neurologically, and behaviorally. The age of adolescence is considered to be between 10 and 21 years. However, great variability exists in terms of the chronologic age at which complete adult maturity is achieved in any given individual. Additionally, the anatomic and physiologic portions of adolescence may be earlier to mature than the neurological and behavioral aspects. This discordance in development may lead to difficulties in the adolescent including promiscuity, risk-taking behaviors, and adolescents being treated according to their physical, not neurological, development. An adolescent who develops earlier or later than his or her peers also may experience teasing about one's height and sexual development (or lack thereof). This chapter will discuss adolescent physiology with emphasis on the endocrine (hormonal) physiology and brain physiology. Case studies with examples of chronic disease in adolescents will also be presented. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.