Foreskin: Difference between revisions

In mammalian anatomy, the foreskin is the retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers the head of the penis, (the glans penis). It serves as a sheath to protect the glans penis.

• In a female, the clitoral hood (see that article), also known as clitoral foreskin, or hood, covers and protects the glans clitoris in a similar manner.
• Both are also known as prepuce (etymologically parallel)

In humans, as in all mammals, the foreskin is a sensory and protective organ of the penis. The foreskin or prepuce is a double-folded tube of sexually sensitive skin and protective mucous membrane (similar to the inside of the mouth or eye lid) which covers the glans penis through contraction of the ridged band, dartos muscle, and tethering by the frenulum. In the female, the foreskin or prepuce is much smaller yet serves many of the same sexual and protective functions for the glans clitoris. The smooth dartos muscle fibers, ridged band, and frenulum keep the foreskin close to and covering the glans penis but make it highly elastic allowing it to evert and revert over the glans penis as needed for erection and hygiene*. [1]

• Special notice to child care professionals and parents:

The male is born with his foreskin fused to the glans by a membrane called the synechia similar to the way the finger nail is attached to the finger. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RETRACT A MINORS FORESKIN! It may remain fused until puberty and is perfectly normal. Only the child himself should be attempting retraction of his foreskin.[2] Premature retraction, which is destructive and painful, can result in infection, adhesions, and disfiguring. Rinsing with plain water under the foreskin when bathing becomes important only when the foreskin becomes detached from the glans by the bodies natural process.

Aposthia is a birth defect where the foreskin is missing.

Phimosis is diagnosed only in adults, considered rare and abnormal, in which the foreskin cannot be retracted fully or at all. Today, phimosis is treated through the use of topical steroid ointments and/or a stretching regimen -- replacing the primitive practice of circumcision. Both retractile and non-retractile foreskin are normal conditions prior to puberty. [3]

Paraphimosis may occur where the foreskins ridged band is too restrictive or the glans penis is larger than normal causing the foreskin to become trapped behind the glans penis. This is easilly cured instantly by putting pressure on the glans with a pinching action of the thumb and index finger till it is flacid enough to allow the foreskin to revert. The long term solution is use of topical steroid ointments and/or physical stretching -- replacing the primitive practice of circumcision.

Foreskin Restoration or tugging is a non-surgical method for restoring the appearance and some of the functions of an intact or uncircumcised penis. The methods involve gentle tension over time and are similar to tissue expansion techniques used by doctors to provide extra skin for surgery such as in the case of conjoined twins. Foreskin restoration has been around for quite some time as it is mentioned in biblical passage and Greek history. Greeks found an exposed glans penis vulgar causing many circumcised ment to seek foreskin restoration.

Circumcision or Genital Mutilation as defined by anthropology and current medical knowledge is a non medical mutilation of the penis where the goal is to remove the foreskins ability to cover the glans penis. This also results in a loss of sexual sensation (10k-20k nerves) provided by the missing tissue which may or may not be intended. Victorian circumcision which originated circumcision in the U.S. was intended to destroy sexual function to combat masturbation. When done for religious or cultural reasons it is usually forced upon a non consenting minor by an adult or group of adults. Elective circumcisions by adults on themselves are rare. Genital piercing of the foreskin is also common in some cultures.

• Anatomy
• Circumcision
• Foreskin restoration
• Frenulum
• Genital Integrity
• Genital Mutilation
• Gliding action
• Intactivist
• Masturbation
• Penis
• Ridged band

• Lakshmanan S., Prakash S. Human prepuce: some aspects of structure and function. Indian J Surg 1980;44:134-7.
• Davenport M. Problems with the penis and prepuce. British Medical Journal 1996;312:299-301.
• Simpson ET, Barraclough P. The management of the paediatric foreskin. Aust Fam Physician 1998;27(5):381-3.
• Cold CJ, McGrath KA. Anatomy and histology of the penile and clitoral prepuce in primates. Male and Female Circumcision 1999