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The nature of the prepuce or foreskin, which is [[Amputation| amputated ]] and destroyed by circumcision, must be considered and fully understood in any discussion of male [[circumcision]].<ref name="cold-taylor1999">{{ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999}}</ref>

Few parts of the human anatomy can compare to the incredibly multifaceted nature of the human foreskin. At times dismissed as “just [[skin]],” the adult foreskin is, in fact, a highly vascularized and densely innervated bilayer tissue, with a surface area of up to 90 cm, and potentially larger. On average, the foreskin accounts for 51% of the total length of the penile [[shaft skin]] and serves a multitude of functions. The tissue is highly dynamic and biomechanically functions like a roller bearing; during intercourse, the foreskin “unfolds” and glides as abrasive friction is reduced and lubricating fluids are retained. The sensitive foreskin is considered to be the primary erogenous zone of the male [[penis]] and is divided into four subsections: [[Preputial mucosa|inner mucosa]], [[ridged band]], [[frenulum]], and outer foreskin; each section contributes to a vast spectrum of sensory pleasure through the [[gliding action]] of the foreskin, which mechanically stretches and stimulates the densely packed corpuscular receptors. Specialized immunological properties should be noted by the presence of [[Langerhans cells]] and other lytic materials, which defend against common microbes, and there is robust evidence supporting [[HIV]] protection. The [[glans penis| glans]] and inner [[mucosa]] are physically protected against external irritation and contaminants while maintaining a healthy, moist surface. The foreskin is also immensely vascularized and acts as a conduit for essential blood vessels within the [[penis]], such as supplying the [[glans]] via the frenular artery.<ref>{{REFjournal

* The inner foreskin and [[ridged band]] which is covered with mucosal membrane. ([[Mucosa]])

In addition, the tip of the foreskin ([[acroposthion]]) is usually too narrow to allow [[retraction of the foreskin]], but usually widens as [[puberty ]] approaches to permit retraction.

The foreskin is in a transitional state during [[puberty ]] and adolescence, in which it is changing from the non-retractile foreskin of childhood to the fully retractable foreskin of adulthood. Many adolescents complain of a non-retractable foreskin. Many teens need to do manual [[stretching]] to widen the tip of their foreskin if they wish it to retract. They usually achieve full retraction by age 16. The foreskin facilitates normal [[masturbation]].

The foreskin may be retractable or non-retractable. Most men have a retractable foreskin, but about two to four five percent have a longer, tighter, non-retractable foreskin, which is a normal variant.

The foreskin (also known as the ''prepuce'') is the layered fold of smooth muscle tissue, blood vessels, neurons, [[skin]], and [[Preputial mucosa|mucous membrane]] part of the [[penis]] that covers and protects the [[glans penis]] and the urinary meatus.<ref name="cold-taylor1999"/> There are four layers of tissue in the foreskin. The top layer is either epidermis in the outer foreskin or [[mucosa]], in the inner foreskin. The second layer is the lamina propria. The third layer is the [[dartos]]. The fourth layer is the dermis. It is normal for the foreskin to become darker in color than the rest of one's body after [[puberty]]. This condition is called hyperpigmentation.

}}</ref> The foreskin is internally lubricated between the inner and outer layer by [[lymph]], so it can move without friction. The [[gliding action]] reduces the friction of intercourse and helps to prevent abrasions, while conserving vaginal lubrication and moisture.<ref name="warren-bigelow1994">{{REFjournal

As with other neurologic structures such as the brain, the tip of the prepuce is richly supplied with blood by important vascular structures.<ref name="taylor1996"/> The prepuce serves as a conduit for several important veins.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998">{{FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998}}</ref> The [[glans penis ]] receives blood through the frenular artery.<ref>{{REFjournal

About one two to two five percent of men have a foreskin that did not become retractable in adulthood. That condition is called [[phimosis]] and is a normal variant that does not require treatment. Some believe that the longer foreskins may not get naturally stretched by [[erection]], so are more likely to remain tight and non -retractable. Treatment is optional. Many men happily live out their lives with a non-retractableforeskin.

The outer foreskin usually becomes somewhat darker after [[puberty ]] due to increased melanin.<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref>The color may vary from slightly darker than the other skin to (rarely) almost black.

Natural foreskins are found in all lengths from very short to very long. Most appear to fall near the center of the rangewith very few at the two extremes in accordance with the rules for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution normal distribution]. Longer foreskins appear to perform their [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin| protective and immunological function]] more satisfactorily. A short or inadequate foreskin may be lengthened by [[tissue expansion]] to improve function and aesthetics.

The tapered tip of a longer foreskin that extends beyond the [[glans penis]] is known as the ''[[acroposthion]]''. A very few of the longest foreskins will not remain retracted when released, but will spontaneously [[Gliding action| glide]] forward to recover the [[glans penis]]. Longer foreskins improve protection and [[gliding action]] and do not usually create an issue. There is no recognized definition of an excessively long or so-called "redundant" foreskin.<ref name="tip2022">{{REFweb

}}</ref> supplying moisture and natural oils by [[transudation]], while protecting the [[mucosa]]l tissue from pathogens, pollutants, friction, injury, [[keratinization]], de-sensitization, and drying out. The foreskin protects the glans penis and meatus of infant boys from abrasion and irritation from ammoniacal diapersto prevent [[meatal stenosis]].<ref name="gairdner1949">{{GairdnerDM 1949}}</ref> <ref name="dobanavacki2012">{{REFjournal

}}</ref> Frisch & Simonsen (2016) reported the incidence of meatal stenosis to be 3.7 times higher in [[circumcised]] boys.<ref name="frisch2016"/> Fendereski et al. (2024)carried out a massive study to compare intact boys to circumcised boys. The authors reported that [[intact]] ([[foreskinned]]) boys have only one-third as many penile problems as do [[circumcised]] boys.<ref name=fendereski2024">{{REFjournal

===The Prepuce: Anatomy and Physiology of the Foreskin===<youtube>v=luDqvvGbhzU</youtube> ===Why you need to pull back your foreskin.====

====Male Foreskin is Important - Here's Why====

<br>====Take care of your foreskin====

* {{REFjournalREFweb |url=https://intactamerica.org/foreskin-functions-you-were-never-told/ |title=The Penis You Were Supposed to Have: 10 Functions of the Foreskin You Were Never Taught |last=Alissa |first= |init=K |author-link=Kristel Alissa |publisher=Intact America |date=2025-07-03 |accessdate=2025-09-06}}* {{REFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pro_Male_Collective/comments/1nnaycl/the_importance_of_the_foreskin/ |title=The importance of the foreskin |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=REDDIT |date=2025-09-21 |accessdate=2025-09-24}}* {{REFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/foreskininfo/comments/1oh0za3/the_foreskin_is_more_than_just_extra_skin_here/ |title=The foreskin is more than just "extra skin." Here are 5 of its functional benefits |last=VegaAnonymous

|init=JA

|last2=Aiello |first2= |init2=V |author2-link=Vincenzo Aiello |last3= |first3= |init3= |author3-link= |last4= |first4= |init4= |author4-link= |last5= |first5= |init5= |author5-link= |last6= |first6= |init6= |author6-link= |last7= |first7= |init7= |author7-link= |last8= |first8= |init8= |author8-link= |last9= |first9= |init9= |author9-link= |etal=yes |title=Sexual Mechanosensitivity: Age-Related Changes in the Innervation of the Human Prepuce |trans-title= |language= |journal=J Clin Med |locationpublisher=REDDIT |date=2025-0710-04 |volume=14 |issue=13 |article= |page=4730 |pages= |url= |archived= |quote= |pubmedID=40649104 |pubmedCID=12250474 |DOI=10.3390/jcm14134730 |doi=26 |accessdate=2025-0711-3103