Changes

The [[foreskin]] evolved over hundreds of thousands of years in men and animals to provide protective functions that enhance survival. It provides protection to the penis from [[trauma]] and [[infection]].<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998">{{FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998}}</ref> Its presence over the [[glans penis]] prevents [[meatal stenosis]] and [[keratinization]].

Nature provides two means to prevent retraction and maintain protection of the [[foreskin]] during the developmental period.<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> 1) The inner surface of the foreskin is fused with the underlying [[glans penis]] by a common [[synechia]] to prevent retraction. Forcible retraction will tear the synechia so should be avoided. 2) Nature provides a second method is provided to prevent retraction by making the tip of the immature foreskin too narrow to pass over the [[glans penis]]. The tip of the [[foreskin]] normally widens to render the foreskin retractable by age 18, but a few persist until later. NonContinued physiological phimosis with non-retractable foreskin in adults into adult life is a normal variant.