Adolescence and Internal Change

The endocrine change. Do you remember the names and functions of the endocrine glands? You will remember that the endocrines hold the keys to many body functions and that the pituitary is the keystone to several of these functions.

One of the most important hormones of the pituitary is secreted during adolescence. This hormone starts the process by which adolescents become mature men and women. It causes the secretion of male hormones in men and female hormones in women. It is these hormones that produce  the marked physical changes that occur during adolescence.

The female hormones produce the changes in body structure, appearance, and voice that make a mature woman. The male hormones produce the changes in body structure, appearance, and voice that make a mature man. These changes are stimulated by the pituitary, and are controlled by heredity. Some boys and girls will begin to mature early in their adolescence and others will begin to mature later. The timing of the change, however, has nothing to do with the eventual maturity of the individual or with his or her attractiveness. You may have guessed that these factors are controlled by heredity, too. Adolescent voice changes. One of the most easily observed adolescent changes is a change in voice quality. In boys, the rapid change in the larynx, or voice box, creates a new voice, which is lower in pitch. In girls, where the change in size of the vocal folds, or cords, is not as great, the changes in pitch and quality are not so pronounced.

Sometime during his adolescence every boy goes through a period when his voice is unreliable. It may be high pitched one moment and deep the next. This uncomfortable situation is temporary and is caused by the changes in the voice box. During adolescence the voice box falls to a lower position in the throat and the vocal folds lengthen. The longer the folds become, the lower the boy’s voice becomes.

While the boy’s vocal folds are changing, he may not have complete control over them. When he is excited or tired, the muscles controlling the vocal cords may tighten, and the boy’s voice will rise in pitch. Happily, this condition does not last long.

 

Think for Yourself

How can a boy whose voice is changing help to avoid the in pitch that sometimes occur?