Measuring Penile Length: Method and Technique

Penile length is measured using a straight edge on the dorsal surface in the non-erect state from the pubic ramus to the tip of the glans while compressing the suprapubic fat pad and applying gentle traction. Mean stretched penile length is approximately 3.75 cm (± 0.54 cm) at one year of age and gradually increases to 4.84 cm by late childhood, then increases sharply to about 9.5 cm (± 1.12 cm) by late puberty (Tomova et al., 2010).

This measurement is rarely used for monitoring of pubertal progress because penile growth is not an early event in puberty, accurate measurement is difficult and may be awkward for the adolescent boy, and there is not as clear of a "pubertal threshold" for penile stretched length as there is for testicular volume (F.

M. Biro, Lucky, Huster, & Morrison, 1995).

The timing of pubertal maturation has an important influence on self-esteem, behavior, growth, and weight. As an example, early maturation is associated with slightly shorter adult stature, and with greater adult ponderosity and adiposity (Frank M Biro et al.

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, 2001).

· Growth spurt Approximately 17 to 18 percent of adult height accrues during puberty (Abbassi, 1998).

The timing of the growth spurt (peak height velocity) varies by sex, occurring approximately two years earlier in girls than in boys. The increase in height affects both axial (trunk) and appendicular (limb) components. The limbs accelerate before the trunk, with the distal portions of the limbs accelerating before the proximal portions; thus, the adolescent in early puberty is "all hands and feet." In later puberty, however, the growth spurt is primarily truncal (Bass et al.

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, 1999).

Height velocity can be plotted and compared with norms using height velocity growth charts. The most commonly used charts are those published by Tanner and Davies (Tanner & Davies, 1985).

· Bone growth Bone growth accelerates during puberty, in concert with height velocity, but bone mineralization lags behind. Bone growth occurs first in length, followed by width, then mineral content, and then bone density.

Approximately one-half of total body calcium is laid down during puberty in females, and one-half to two-thirds in males (Magarey et al., 1999).

SEQUENCE OF PUBERTAL MATURATION

The earliest stage of male maturation that is detectable on physical examination is an increase in testicular volume. Almost all boys have an increase in testicular size (volume ?4 mL and length ?2.5 cm) approximately six months prior to the appearance of penile growth and pubic hair (Susman et al., 2010).

The appearance of sperm in the urine and the onset of nocturnal sperm emissions occur shortly after the attainment of peak height velocity; many consider these events the male equivalent of menarche (figure ·).

accessed on 5th July 2018.

Updated: Apr 29, 2023
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Measuring Penile Length: Method and Technique. (2019, Nov 25). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/penile-length-essay

Measuring Penile Length: Method and Technique essay
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