Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Tanner staging
Pronunciation: TAN-ner
Standardized system for assessing physical sexual development during puberty in children and adolescents.
Full Definition
A widely used clinical tool developed by James Tanner to objectively assess pubertal development by rating secondary sexual characteristics on a scale from 1 (pre-pubertal) to 5 (adult). The system evaluates breast development and pubic hair in females, and genital development and pubic hair in males. Tanner staging helps clinicians determine normal versus abnormal pubertal progression, identify endocrine disorders, and guide treatment decisions for pubertal abnormalities.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify which characteristics assessed (breast, genital, pubic hair); use numbers 1-5.
In Context
- "Physical examination revealed Tanner stage 3 breast development with stage 2 pubic hair." — adolescent health assessment
- "The 14-year-old male's Tanner staging indicated delayed pubertal progression requiring endocrine evaluation." — endocrinology consultation
Also known as
Tanner scale
sexual maturity rating
SMR
Don't confuse with
bone age assessment
growth velocity