Tanner staging

Full Definition

A five-stage classification system developed by James Tanner to objectively assess and document sexual maturation in children and adolescents. The system evaluates breast development and pubic hair growth in females, and genital development and pubic hair growth in males. Each stage is numbered 1-5, with stage 1 representing prepubertal state and stage 5 representing adult development. This standardized approach ensures consistent documentation across healthcare providers and research settings.

Usage

Usage note: Always specify both breast/genital and pubic hair stages separately in clinical documentation.

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 performed by trained healthcare providers to ensure accurate documentation of pubertal progression." — Clinical guideline