In: Anatomy and Physiology
Betty, age 11, has always been several inches shorter than all of her classmates, and now she seems to have stopped growing. What could be the cause? Could this be a genetic factor, explain?
Betty, at age 11 remains several inches shorter than all of her classmates mainly because of inadequate secretion of growth hormone which is essential for linear growth as it acts on the epiphyseal cartilage of long bones and also on progenitor or stem cells in growth plates.
Thus, growth hormone effects the height of individual before closure of epiphysis. But now she seems to have stopped growing which indicates that she attained puberty, where estrogen hormone is started to secrete from granulosa cells of ovarian follicles.
This oestrogen hormone causes epiphyseal closure thus causing cessation of longitudinal growth of bone and female height is determined by then. Estrogen also prevent osteoclastic and osteoporotic activities.
Yes, genetic factors may also contribute to height of a child. It may be said that the height of female child can be determined approximately by subtracting 5 inches from the average of both parent's heights. Hence, genetic transfer plays a major role in determining the height of an individual.