Tanner staging
A standardized scale used to assess the progression of physical development during puberty in adolescents.
Full Definition
Tanner staging is a widely accepted medical classification system that evaluates pubertal development through five stages, assessing secondary sexual characteristics such as breast development, genital development, and pubic hair growth. Developed by James Tanner in the 1960s, this system provides objective criteria for documenting normal and abnormal pubertal progression. Healthcare providers use Tanner staging to determine appropriate timing for interventions, counsel families about normal development, and identify potential endocrine disorders.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize 'Tanner' as it is named after Dr. James Tanner. Use numerals for stages (1-5), not written numbers.
In Context
- "The patient's physical examination revealed Tanner stage 3 breast development with stage 2 pubic hair growth." — Clinical assessment note
- "Tanner staging should be documented annually in adolescent health maintenance visits." — Clinical guideline