Preputial sac: Difference between revisions

'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' is the term applied to the space on the [[foreskinned]] [[penis]] between the [[prepuce]] and the [[glans penis]].<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> The preputial sac may also be called the '''sub-preputial space''' or '''preputial cavity'''. [[Circumcised]] men do not have a preputial sac.

When boys are born, the preputial sac is sealed shut by a [[synechia]] called the ''balanopreputial lamina'',<ref name="deibart1933">{{REFjournal

}}</ref> so it cannot be [[Infection| infected]]. The preputial sac will remain closed for a variable number of years. Thorvaldsen & Meyhoff (2005) conducted a survey of 4000 young men in [[Denmark]]. They reported that the mean age of first [[foreskin]] retraction is 10.4 years in [[Denmark]].<ref name="Thorvaldsen">{{REFjournal

The preputial sac is lined with [[mucosa]] as is appropriate for an internal organ where moisture is present.<ref name="cold-taylor1999">{{ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999}}</ref> [[Urine]] and other sources of moisture are not harmful to it.

The [[glans penis]] (head of the [[penis]]) is covered and protected from friction, abrasion, [[trauma]], and [[infection]] by the [[foreskin]] while it is in the preputial sac,<ref name="fleiss1998">{{FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998}}</ref> so it does not accumulate [[keratin]], and maintains its [[Foreskin sensitivity| natural sensitivity]]. It is normal for the [[glans penis]] to be purple in color when the glans has been protected by the [[foreskin]].

}}</ref>, a natural, normal, benign, healthy, and beneficial product of the body, which will collect harmlessly in the preputial sac.

 

 

Cold & Taylor (1999) described a healthy [[microbiome]] that lives within the preputial sac.<ref name="cold-taylor1999" /> They also reported that Langerhans cells are found in the mucosa of the preputial sac. [[Langerhans cells]] are part of the immunological defenses of the [[penis]].  

Fendereski et al. (2024) compared the penile health of [[circumcised]] boys without a preputial sac to [[intact]] boys with a preputial sac during the first five years of life. The authors reported that the [[circumcised]] boys had three times as many complaints when compared with [[intact]] boys.<ref name=fendereski2024">{{REFjournal

|title=Comparing Penile Problems in Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised Boys: Insights From a Large Commercial Claims Database With a Focus on Provider Type Performing Circumcision

A longer [[foreskin]] improves wetness in the preputial sac.<ref name="ofarrell2008">{{REFjournal

}}</ref> The authors further reported that the wetness is rich in lytic material.<ref name="parkash1982" /> Lytic material causes lysis or a breakdown of pathogen cell walls.<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> Moistness also may be maintained by [[transudation]].<ref name="cold-taylor1999" /> The preputial sac may also receive [[pre-ejaculate]], which may be distinguished because it is more slippery. The sac may vary from very slightly moist to wet when one is aroused.

}}</ref>  to moisturize the preputial sac. A few drops, applied once or twice a day, appears to be enough to keep the sac moisturized, lubricated, and comfortable.

 

The [[foreskin]] produces [[pheromone| pheromones]] that are likely to be present in the preputial sac.<ref name="fleiss1998" /> Many [[foreskinned]] men report a pleasant musky fragrance<ref name="vocabulary2024">{{REFweb

}}</ref> from their [[penis]]. Musk is also produced by deer to create sexual arousal.<ref name="vocabulary2024" /> The fragrance, when it occurs, is emitted from the preputial sac.

 

The fragrance may contain stimulating [[pheromone| pheromones]] and is variously characterized. A few find it offensive, but others find it attractive, pleasing, exciting, stimulating, or arousing.<ref name="vocabulary2024" /> <ref>{{REFweb

  |last=Anonymous

  |init=

  |publisher=REDDIT

  |date=

  |accessdate=2025-04-09

}}</ref>

Some believe that the use of soap in the preputial sac harms the natural [[microbiome]] and increases the strength of the fragrance. The musky foreskin fragrance may be contained by avoiding retraction of the [[foreskin]].

Several manufacturers offer musk-scented cologne for men.

Birley et al. (1993) studied 43 men with recurrent or persistent [[balanitis]] at an outpatient genitourinary disease clinic in London, [[United Kingdom| UK]] where most men are [[intact]]. Of the study group only 33 percent were [[circumcised]]. Birley and colleagues discovered that the men in that group washed frequently with soap. The men were instructed to wash less frequently, to stop using soap, and to treat with emollients. The soap and shower gel apparently removed the natural skin oil, which appears to be essential for health of the [[mucosa]] of the preputial sac.<ref name="birley1993">{{REFjournal

The presence of the healthy [[microbiome]], the [[Langerhans cells]], and the lytics in the sub-preputial moisture give the preputial sac strong immunological functions. [[Circumcision]] destroys the preputial sac and its protective immunological functions and makes the patient more vulnerable to [[infection]] throughout life.<ref name="fleiss1998" />

 

If the [[foreskin]] is non-retractable, then a [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rubber%20bulb%20ear%20syringe rubber-bulb ear syringe] may be used to squirt warm water into the [[foreskin]] to flush it out for an occasional washing. Washing is recommended before and after sex and as needed to remove accumulated [[smegma]].

<b>Soap, body wash, and shampoo should not be used inside the preputial sac, because they remove the beneficial skin oil.</b>

== Urination by foreskinned men==

The text of this section has been relocated to its own article. Please see [[Urination by foreskinned men]].

[[Category:Physiology]]

 

[[de:Präputialsack]]