foreskin
Sign in to saveIn male human anatomy, the foreskin, also known as the prepuce (), is the double-layered fold of skin, mucosal and muscular tissue at the distal end of the human penis that covers the glans and the urinary meatus. The foreskin is attached to the glans by an elastic band of tissue, known as the frenulum. The outer skin of the foreskin meets with the inner preputial mucosa at the area of the mucocutaneous junction. The foreskin is mobile, fairly stretchable and sustains the glans in a moist environment. Except for humans, a similar structure known as a penile sheath appears in the male sexual or
AI overview
The foreskin is a double-layered fold of skin and tissue at the tip of the penis that covers and protects the glans (head) and urinary opening. It keeps the glans moist and is mobile and stretchy, attached to the glans by a band of elastic tissue called the frenulum.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Foreskin
- Anatomy.Latin
- praeputium, preputium penis
- Anatomy.Image
- Foreskin2.jpg
- Anatomy.Caption
- Human foreskin fully covering the glans penis
- Anatomy.Width
- 190
- Anatomy.Precursor
- Genital tubercle, urogenital folds
- Anatomy.System
- Male reproductive system
- Anatomy.Artery
- Dorsal artery of the penis
- Anatomy.Vein
- Dorsal veins of the penis
- Anatomy.Nerve
- Dorsal nerve of the penis
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
16 sectionsContents
- Structure
- External
- Subcutaneous
- Development
- Gestation
- Retraction
- Variability
- Evolution and function
- Clinical significance
- Society and culture
- Modifications
- Foreskin-based products
- History
- Notes
- References
- External links
In male human anatomy, the foreskin, also known as the prepuce (), is the double-layered fold of skin, mucosal and muscular tissue at the distal end of the human penis that covers the glans and the urinary meatus. The foreskin is attached to the glans by an elastic band of tissue, known as the frenulum. The outer skin of the foreskin meets with the inner preputial mucosa at the area of the mucocutaneous junction. The foreskin is mobile, fairly stretchable and sustains the glans in a moist environment. Except for humans, a similar structure known as a penile sheath appears in the male sexual organs of all primates and the vast majority of mammals.
In humans, foreskin length varies widely and coverage of the glans in a flaccid and erect state can also vary. The foreskin is fused to the glans at birth and is generally not retractable in infancy and early childhood. Inability to retract the foreskin in childhood should not be considered a problem unless there are other symptoms. Retraction of the foreskin is not recommended until it loosens from the glans before or during puberty. In adults, it is typically retractable over the glans, given normal development. The male prepuce is anatomically homologous to the clitoral hood in females. In some cases, the foreskin may become subject to a pathological condition.