Changes

Anatomical investigations have identified the prepuce as a primary erogenous zone in humans.<ref name="ErogenousZones">{{WinkelmannRK 1959}}</ref>  Morgan (1967) addressed the issue in the ''Medical Journal of Australia'':<blockquote>The subcutaneous tissue of the [[glans]] is provided with special sensory receptors that are concerned with appreciating the pleasurable sensations that occur during coitus. They are stimulated normally only when the glans is exposed. In the [[circumcised]] subject these receptors are constantly stimulated and lose their sensitivity. During the act of coitus, the [[uncircumcised]] phallus penetrates smoothly and without friction, the prepuce gradually retracting as the organ advances. In contrast, when the [[circumcised]] organ is introduced during coitus, friction develops between the glans and the vaginal [[mucosa]].<ref name="morgan1967">{{REFjournal |last=WinkelmannMorgan |first=R.KWilliam Keith C. |init=WKC |author-link=William Keith Campbell Morgan |etal=No |title=Penile Plunder |trans-title="The Erogenous Zones |language= |journal=Med J Aust |location= |date=1967-05-27 |volume=1 |issue=21 |pages=1102-3 |url=http: Their nerve supply and significance//www.cirp.org/library/general/morgan2/ |quote= |pubmedID=4226264 |pubmedCID= |DOI= |accessdate=2024-08-18}}</ref> </blockquote> Falliers (1970) commented on the " Proceedings sensory pleasure induced by tactile stimulation of the staff meetings of the Mayo Clinicforeskin."<ref name="falliers1970">{{REFjournal |last=Falliers |first= |init=CJ |author-link= |etal=no |title=Circumcision |trans-title= |language= |journal=JAMA |location= |date=1970-12 |volume=34214 |issue=212 |article= |page=2194 |pages=39-47 |url=http://www.ncbicirp.nlm.nih.govorg/library/general/pubmedfalliers1/13645790?dopt |archived=Abstract

|pubmedID=136457905536586

|accessdate=2021-11-17}}</ref> Even vibrations and bumps in car rides can stimulate the foreskin.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1j1y3dx/vibrations_from_bass/ |title=Vibrations from Bass |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=Reddit |date=19592025-03-02 |accessdate=20192025-0903-1005

For over a hundred years, anatomical research has confirmed that both the penile and clitoral prepuce ([[foreskin]]) are richly innervated, specific erogenous tissue with specialised encapsulated (corpuscular) sensory receptors, such as [[Meissner's corpuscles]], <ref name="garcía-mesa2021">{{REFjournal |last=García-Mesa |first=Yolanda |init= |author-link= |last2=García-Piqueras |first2=Jorge |init2= |author2-link= |last3=Cobo |first3=Ramón |init3= |author3-link= |last4=Martín-Cruces |first4=José |init4= |author4-link= |last5=Suazo |first5=Iván |init5= |author5-link= |last6=García-Suárez |first6=Olivia |init6= |author6-link= |last7=Feito |first7=Jorge |init7= |author7-link= |last8= |first8=Vega |init8=José A. |author8-link= |etal=no |title=Sensory innervation of the human male prepuce: Meissner's corpuscles predominate |trans-title= |language= |journal=Journal of Anatomy |location= |date=2021-10 |volume=239 |issue=4 |article= |page= |pages=892-902 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joa.13481 |archived= |quote= |pubmedID=34120333 |pubmedCID=8450466 |DOI=10.1111/joa.13481 |accessdate=2021-11-15}}</ref> Pacinian corpuscles, genital corpuscles, Krause end bulbs, Ruffini corpuscles, and mucocutaneous corpuscles. These receptors transmit sensations of fine touch, pressure, proprioception, and temperature.<ref name="Nervenendigungen">{{REFjournal

|firstinit=A.S.AS

|accessdate=2021-06-21

|firstinit=A.S.AS

|trans-title=About the nerve end apparatuses in the human [[skin]]

|url=h

|accessdate=2021-06-21

|firstinit=D.

|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02117201

|accessdate=2021-06-21

|firstinit=K. |title=Studies in the innervation in tenth month human embryo.

|yeardate=1951

|firstinit=K.

|firstinit=R.K.RK

|url=http://www.ncbicirp.nlm.nih.govorg/library/anatomy/pubmedwinkelmann2/13295637?dopt=Abstract

|accessdate=2020-04-30

|firstinit=R.K.RK

|url=https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/525127

|accessdate=2021-06-21

|firstinit=K.E.KE

|url=https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Citation/1958/10000/Innervation_of_the_Human_Vulva_and_Vagina__A.4.aspx

|accessdate=2021-06-21

|firstinit=AB

|first2init2=W

The two primary sensory receptors in primate [[skin ]] are free nerve endings and encapsulated or corpuscular receptors. While free nerve endings (pain, itch, and temperature receptors) are found in most [[skin]], the encapsulated receptors are concentrated in regions that require specialised touch sensitivity, such as at the fingertips, lips, external genitalia, perianal [[skin]], and transition areas between [[skin ]] and [[Mucosa| mucous membranes]].<ref>{{REFbook

The Innervation innervation of the [[foreskin ]] is impressive <ref>{{REFjournal

|firstinit=R.M.RM

|first2init2=E.

}}</ref> The [[foreskin ]] is what's known as a ''specific erogenous zone''.<ref name="ErogenousZones"/> This means that it is richly equipped with a high density and concentration of specialized and sophisticated nerve receptors that convey pleasure.<ref name="garcía-mesa2021" /> The presence of specialized nerves, nerves that do no not exist elsewhere, make this part of the [[penis ]] especially important. Consequently, this has been studied in detail by respected anatomists for over a century, who have transformed their knowledge by detailed empirical observation of the nerves that are present in the [[foreskin]].

As the most richly innervated part of the [[penis]], the [[foreskin ]] has the largest number of nerve receptors, as well as the greatest variety of nerve receptors. <ref name="garcía-mesa2021"/> These specialized nerve endings include:

* [[Meissner's corpuscles]],<ref name="garcía-mesa2021"/><ref name="Mucosa">{{REFjournal |last=Taylor |first=J.R. |author-link=John R. Taylor |last2=Lockwood |first2=A.P. |last3=Taylor |first3=A.J. |title=The prepuce: Specialized mucosa of the penis and its loss to circumcision |journal=British Journal of Urology International |volume=77 |issue=2 |pages=291-295 |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8800902?dopt=Abstract |quote= |pubmedID=8800902 |pubmedCID= |DOI= |date=TaylorJR LockwoodAP TaylorAJ 1996 |accessdate=}}</ref>

|firstinit=H.C.HC

|first2init2=B.

|first3init3=R.G.RG

|first4init4=H.M.HM

|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/bazett/

|accessdate=2020-04-27

* genital and end bulbs <ref>{{REFjournal

|firstinit=Z.

|first2init2=B.L.BL |title=The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility og of the human glans penis

[[Bud Berkeley| Berkeley]] (1993) reported that the [[foreskin]] hangs quietly without generating much sensation until motion occurs, when it comes alive with pleasurable sensations.<ref>{{REFbook |last=Berkeley |first=Bud |init= |year=1993 |title=Foreskin: A Closer Look |url=https://www.amazon.com/Foreskin-Closer-Look-Bud-Berkeley/dp/1555832121/ |scope= |location= |publisher=Alyson Books |ISBN=78-1555832124 |accessdate=2025-01-21 }}</ref> These remarkable organs provide the [[foreskin ]] with its amazing ability to detect the slightest sensations of touch, motion, temperature, and pressure. We are still unaware of all the facts about these fascinating structures. Future research may discover even more nerve receptors in the foreskin and help clarify what purposes they serve.The primary zones of erogenous sensitivity are the [[frenulum]], [[ridged band]] of [[Preputial mucosa|mucosa]], and the preputial orifice and the external fold of the [[foreskin]]. All of these zones are orgasmic triggers. Continuous gentle stimulation of any one of these areas can elicit pleasure, [[erection]], orgasm, and [[ejaculation]]. Some men report that simple retraction of their [[foreskin]] causes [[erection]].

== Meissner's corpuscle corpuscles ==

Distributed on various areas of the [[skin]], but concentrated in areas especially sensitive to light touch, such as the fingers, lips, nipples and foreskin.<ref>{{REFjournal

|last2init2=RossLL |title=The fine structure of meissner[[Meissner's corpuscles|Meissner's touch corpuscles ]] of human fingers

|last=Martini and |last2=Bartholomew

|last=Afifi and |last2=Bergman

}}</ref> They are concentrated in areas of the body denoted as erogenous zones, which include the foreskin, [[clitoris]], lip and nipple.<ref name="ErogenousZones"/> J.R. Taylor (1996) noted their presence in the foreskin,<ref name="Mucosa"/> and C.J. Cold & Taylor (1999) reported "Most of the encapsulated receptors of the foreskin are [[Meissner 's corpuscles|Meissner corpuscles]], as they contact the epithelial basement membrane."<ref>{{

|first2init=CJ |author-link=Christopher J.R.Cold

|url=http://www.ncbicirp.nlm.nih.govorg/library/anatomy/pubmedcold-taylor/10349413?dopt=Abstract

|firstinit=H.C.HC

|journal=Proc. A. Research Nerv. & Ment. Dis.

}}</ref> reported the presence of [[Meissner's corpuscles ]] in the foreskin. Haiyang ''et al.'' (2005) found and measured the density of [[Meissner's corpuscles ]] on the foreskin.<ref>{{REFjournal

}}</ref> Dong ''et al.'' (2007) reported that the quantity of [[Meissner's corpuscles ]] on the fused smooth [[mucosa ]] of the foreskin decline with age, but not on the ridged band.<ref>{{REFjournal

In 1991 the [[ridged bands band]] of the male prepuce were was identified as a concentrated area of corpuscular receptors.<ref>{{REFbook |last=Taylor |first=J.R. |chapter=The prepuce: What, exactly, is removed by circumcision: a preliminary report |editors=Milos M, Richter L, Hodges F |title=Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Circumcision 1991 |location=San Anselmo |publisher=NOCIRC |date=1994}}</ref><ref name="Mucosa"/>

The [[foreskin ]] has important sexual nerve receptors that are removed during [[circumcision]].<ref name="CutaneousInnervation"/><ref name="ErogenousZones"/><ref name="Mucosa"/><refname="cold1999">{{REFjournal |first=C.J.

|first2init=CJ |author-link=Christopher J.R.Cold

}}</ref> [[Circumcision removes ]] excises the most sensitive part of a man's [[penis]]. The five most sensitive areas of the [[penis ]] are on the [[foreskin]]. The transitional region from the external to the internal foreskin is the most sensitive region of the fully [[intact ]] penis, and more sensitive than the most sensitive region of the [[circumcised ]] [[penis]].<ref name="FineTouchPressure">{{REFjournal |last=Sorrells

|lastinit=ML |author-link=Morris L. Sorrells |last2=Snyder

|last2init2=JD |author2-link=James L. Snyder

In a 2007 study, which was published in the British Medical Journal''BJU International''. They physically measured the sensitivity of all the parts of the [[penis]]. They used a very accurate pressure sensing probe while the test subject, who’s view was blocked with a screen, reported a sensation of touch. To demonstrate precision they took each measurement multiple times. To no surprise, their results corroborated with the neroneuro-anatomy that has been discussed previously.

"Five locations on the uncircumcised [[foreskinned]] [[penis ]] that are routinely removed at [[circumcision ]] were more sensitive than the most sensitive location on the circumcised penis[...] The [[glans ]] in the [[circumcised ]] male is less sensitive to fine-touch pressure than the glans of the [[uncircumcised ]] male[...]The most sensitive location on the circumcised penis is the [[circumcision scar ]] on the ventral surface [...] When compared to the most sensitive area of the [[circumcised ]] [[penis]], several locations on the [[uncircumcised ]] penis that are missing from the [[circumcised ]] [[penis ]] were significantly more sensitive."<ref name="FineTouchPressure"/>

== Sorrells study of penis fine-touch sensation.== At right is an easy-to-understand illustration of the Sorrells study<ref name="FineTouchPressure" /> showing the loss of tissues. Tissues show in color their relative sensitivity thresholds to light touch. sensitive tissue. On the infographic's opposite side: The AAP brushes off 's expressed skepticism (quotes from their now expired 2012 Circumcision task force report) on whether loss of all that erogenous tissue could really affect sexual enjoyment. Arguably, claiming there's no evidence that circumcision diminishes sexual enjoyment is essentially implying the obverse: that it's perfectly safe and reasonable to assume that the human foreskin, despite evolving over millions of years, has no anatomical significance in sexual mechanics, and has zero relevance to sexual pleasure and satisfaction. That statement sounds immediately absurd, however. García-Mesa et al. (2021) reported: "[s]timulation of genitalMeissner's corpuscles gives rise to sexual sensations."<ref name="garcía-mesa2021" />==The circumcised penis==The nerves and other structures mentioned in this article are largely missing on the [[circumcised]] [[penis]]. Moreover, it is more difficult to stimulate the circumcised penis because of the lack of [[gliding action]]. [[Foreskinned]] men who elect to be [[circumcised]] frequently report very substantial loss of sensation after [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]] and may become [[regret men]]. ==Conflict between medical literature and personal reports of foreskin sensation==[[Jonathan A. Allan| Allan]] (2024) reviewed the medical literature and the various sex manuals. He found a serious discrepancy between the medical literature, which does not find increased sexual sensation in the foreskin, and the sex manuals, which report a very substantial increase in sexual sensation when the [[foreskin]] is present.<ref name="allan2024">{{REFbook |last=Allan |first= |init=JA |author-link=Jonathan A. Allan |year=2024 |title=Uncut: A Cultural Analysis of the Foreskin |url=https://uofrpress.ca/Books/U/Uncut |work= |editor= |edition= |volume= |chapter=Chapter Five: The Joy of Foreskin |scope= |page= |pages=180-7 |location=Regina |publisher=University of Regina Press |ISBN=9781779400321 |quote= |accessdate=2024-12-08 |note=}}</ref> The discrepancy occurs because medical science is unable to measure and quantify the increase in sensation caused by the motion and stretching of the foreskin that occurs during the [[gliding action]].<ref name="hill2003" /> ==Preliminary report from survey of circumcised, restoring, and intact men==[[C4Charkey]] has published the first results from the first 250 men surveyed were reported on 27 July 2025 in graph and text form. The findings overwhelmingly indicate the superiority of the erogenous sensation of the [[intact]] [[penis]] and the satisfaction enjoyed by the intact males as inconclusive compared with [[circumcised]] males and [[restored]] males.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/FriendsOfTheFrenulum/comments/1ma5zqc/the_data_is_in_the_silence_is_broken_a_first_look/ |title=The Data is In. The Silence is Broken. A First Look at Our Survey's Staggering Results. |last=Intactivist |first=Accidental |init= |author-link= |publisher=REDDIT |date=2025-07-26 |accessdate=2025-07-27}}</ref>

At right is an easy-to-understand illustration of the Sorrells study showing {{SEEALSO}}* [[Acroposthion]]* [[American urologists and the loss practice of tissues. Tissues show in color their relative sensitivity thresholds to light touch. sensitive tissue. On the infographic's opposite sidemale circumcision]]* [[Circumcision: The AAP's expressed skepticism (quotes from their 2012 Effect upon erectile function]]* [[Circumcision Taskforce report) on whether loss - Penis SensitivityTest]]* [[Foreskin play]]* [[Gliding action]]* [[Israel#Loss_of_sexual_sensation| Loss of all that erogenous tissue could really affect sexual enjoyment.sensation]]* [[Masturbation]]* [[Pre-ejaculate]]* [[Regret men]]* [[Sexual effects of circumcision]]* [[Sex with phimosis]]* [[The Penis - Sex Education 101]]