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The '''penis''' is the external male organ of urination and copulation.<ref name="farlex2003">{{REFweb
The '''penis''' is the external male organ of [[urination]] and copulation.<ref name="farlex2003">{{REFweb
  |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/penis
  |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/penis
  |archived=
  |archived=
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  |quote=
  |quote=
}}</ref> The penis is also known as the '''phallus'''.
}}</ref> The penis is also known as the '''phallus'''.
==Description==
The body of the penis consists of three cylindrical-shaped masses of erectile tissue which run the length of the penis. Two of the masses lie alongside each other and end behind the head of the penis. The third mass lies underneath them. This latter mass contains the [[urethra]]. The penis terminates in an oval or cone-shaped body, the [[glans penis]], which contains the exterior opening of the [[urethra]], or [[meatus]].<ref name="farlex2003"/> The final part of the penis is the [[foreskin]], also called the prepuce.
==The four functions of the penis==
The four functions of the penis are:
# to be a handy tool for [[urination]] without disrobing.
# to be a a vehicle for reproduction.
# to provide [[Erogenous sensation of the foreskin| sexual pleasure and sensory function]].
# to provide partner satisfaction and friction reduction.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://intactamerica.org/key-functions-of-the-penis/
|title=Understanding the Key Functions of the Penis
|last=Cartwright-Smith
|first=Jeffrey
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=Intact America
|date=2025-09-18
|accessdate=2025-10-02
}}</ref>


The body of the penis consists of three cylindrical-shaped masses of erectile tissue which run the length of the penis. Two of the masses lie alongside each other and end behind the head of the penis. The third mass lies underneath them. This latter mass contains the [[urethra]]. The penis terminates in an oval or cone-shaped body, the [[glans penis]], which contains the exterior opening of the [[urethra]], or [[meatus]].<ref name="farlex2003" />
==Foreskin==


The normal [[intact]], [[foreskinned]] penis is enveloped in a tube of loose, highly innervated, movable, erogenous skin,<ref name="winklemann1959">{{WinkelmannRK 1959}}</ref> the [[foreskin]] or prepuce, which enables it to expand freely during [[erection]].<ref name="earp2018">{{REFjournal
The normal [[intact]], [[foreskinned]] penis is enveloped in its tube of folded loose, highly innervated, movable, protective, erogenous skin,<ref name="winklemann1959">{{WinkelmannRK 1959}}</ref> the [[foreskin]] or prepuce, which unfolds to enable the penis to fully expand during [[erection]].<ref name="earp2018">{{REFjournal
  |last=Earp
  |last=Earp
  |first=
  |first=
Line 45: Line 63:
  |DOI=10.1007/s11930-018-0141-x
  |DOI=10.1007/s11930-018-0141-x
  |accessdate=2024-01-02
  |accessdate=2024-01-02
}}</ref> The skin ends just behind the [[glans penis]] but folds forward to cover it, this forming the [[preputial sac]] and, if long enough, the [[acroposthion]]. The moist preputial sac may harmlessly collect oil-bearing [[smegma]], which is helpful in preventing dermatitis.<ref name="birley1993">{{REFjournal
}}</ref> The two layers of the foreskin contain [[lymph]] between them to allow lubricated, frictionless [[gliding action]] of the outer skin over the inner skin. The skin ends just behind the [[glans penis]] but folds forward to cover it, this forming the [[preputial sac]] and, if long enough, the [[acroposthion]]. The moist [[preputial sac]] may harmlessly collect oil-bearing [[smegma]], which is helpful in preventing dermatitis.<ref name="birley1993">{{REFjournal
  |last=Birley
  |last=Birley
  |init=HDL
  |init=HDL
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}}</ref>  
}}</ref>  


The skin of the penis normally is somewhat darker than the rest of the body. This condition is called ''hyperpigmentation''.
The skin of the adult penis normally is somewhat darker than the rest of the body. This condition is called ''hyperpigmentation''<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hyperpigmentation
|title=hyperpigmentation
|last=
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions
|date=2012
|accessdate=2024-09-25
}}</ref> and occurs after [[puberty]].
 
Protection of the penis in childhood is important, so nature provides two ways to prevent retraction. Cold & Taylor (1999) report:
<blockquote>
The embryology of the penile prepuce has been controversial since the original account given by Schweigger-Seidel in 1866, who described a preputial fold that
progressively extended and fused with the epithelial covering of the glans. Glenister cited Retterer(1885–1915) as the first to show that the prepuce was formed by a combination of preputial folding and the ingrowth of a cellular lamella. This ingrowth creates the prepuce, glans, corona and coronal sulcus mucosa. This results in a common mucosal epithelium of the glans penis and the inner mucosal lining of the prepuce. The squamous mucosa of the glans penis, coronal sulcus and prepuce should be considered as one tissue compartment with a common cytokeratin polypeptide pattern.
 
The fused mucosa of the glans penis and the inner lining of the prepuce separates gradually over years, as a spontaneous biological process. Topical steroid
and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ointments are known to accelerate the glans-prepuce separation. In male rhesus monkeys exposed to intrauterine diethyl-stilbestrol, the normal separation of the glans/prepuce is delayed from a normal age of 2.5–3 years to 4.5–5.5 years. Despite this research, the hormones and/or growth factors responsible for this separation of the glans-prepuce are poorly understood. Gairdner found that 96% of newborn males have a fused mucosa; in
20% of boys aged 5–13 years, he reported that the prepuce could not be completely retracted. Oster confirmed in a large study that preputial non-separation (adhesions) is very common in children and teenagers. The separation of the prepuce/glans penis mucosa is usually complete by about age 17 years, as confirmed by later Chinese studies (Fig. 2). Recent work by Kayaba et al. verified that the preputial orifice may be tight in young boys, but resolves over time (Fig. 3). Without knowledge of the normal development of the penis, some physicians advocate childhood circumcision as a surgical treatment of normal anatomy. One study stated that microscopic examination of the prepuce circumcised for phimosis showed normal histology in 46% of cases. As the mean age in that study group was 8.7 years, almost half of these boys were circumcised for a normal stage of penile development; a tight preputial orifice with normal histology is not pathological in young boys, but should be considered a normal stage of penile development. Neonatal circumcision, before the prepuce has naturally separated, involves tearing the common prepuce/glans penis mucosa apart, with the concomitant risk of glanular excoriation and injury. Manipulation and retraction of the immature prepuce must be avoided to prevent scarring, bleeding, phimosis and psychological trauma.<ref name="cold1999">{{REFjournal
|last=Cold
|first=
|init=CJ
|author-link=Christopher J. Cold
|last2=Taylor
|first2=
|init2=JR
|author2-link=John R. Taylor
|etal=no
|title=The prepuce
|trans-title=
|language=
|journal=BJU Int
|location=
|date=1999-01
|volume=83, Suppl. 1
|pages=34-44
|url=https://pool.intactiwiki.org/w/images/Cold_and_Taylor_-_1999_-_The_prepuce.pdf
|archived=
|quote=
|pubmedID=10349413
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.0830s1034.x.
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2026-03-30
}}</ref>
</blockquote>
 
== Innervation ==
== Innervation ==
The penis — the organ of copulation — is heavily innervated with afferent<ref>{{REFweb
The normal [[foreskinned]] penis — the organ of copulation — is heavily innervated with afferent<ref>{{REFweb
  |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/afferent
  |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/afferent
  |title=Afferent
  |title=Afferent
Line 88: Line 153:
  |date=2003
  |date=2003
  |accessdate=2023-11-24
  |accessdate=2023-11-24
}}</ref> nerves — meaning that sensation, which is needed for male sexual function, is transmitted to the spinal cord and/or central nervous system. The penis is also innervated by the sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SAMS) and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PAMS).<ref name="cepeda2023">{{REFjournal
}}</ref> nerves — meaning that sensation, which is needed for male sexual function, is transmitted to the spinal cord and/or central nervous system. The penis is also innervated by the sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SAMS) and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PAMS).<ref name="cepeda2023">{{REFjournal
  |last=Cepeda-Emiliani
  |last=Cepeda-Emiliani
  |first=
  |first=
Line 140: Line 205:
  |DOI=10.1038/s41443-022-00561-9  
  |DOI=10.1038/s41443-022-00561-9  
  |accessdate=2023-11-24
  |accessdate=2023-11-24
}}</ref> The penis is innervated by both dorsal and perineal nerves.<ref name="cepeda2023" />
}}</ref> The penis is innervated by both dorsal and perineal nerves.<ref name="cepeda2023"/>


The innervation in the tube of [[foreskin]] translates movement and stretching into pleasurable sensation.<ref name="garcía-mesa2021">{{REFjournal
The innervation in the tube of [[foreskin]] translates movement and stretching into pleasurable, erogenous sensation.<ref name="garcía-mesa2021">{{REFjournal
  |last=García-Mesa
  |last=García-Mesa
  |first=Yolanda
  |first=Yolanda
Line 192: Line 257:
  |DOI=10.1111/joa.13481  
  |DOI=10.1111/joa.13481  
  |accessdate=2023-11-26
  |accessdate=2023-11-26
}}</ref> <ref>{{REFweb
}}</ref><ref>{{REFweb
  |url=https://intactamerica.org/what-do-the-eyelids-lips-fingertips-the-intact-penis-have-in-common/
  |url=https://intactamerica.org/what-do-the-eyelids-lips-fingertips-the-intact-penis-have-in-common/
  |title=What Do The Eyelids, Lips, Fingertips & The Intact Penis Have in Common?
  |title=What Do The Eyelids, Lips, Fingertips & The Intact Penis Have in Common?
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  |date=2024-02-17
  |date=2024-02-17
  |accessdate=2024-02-18
  |accessdate=2024-02-18
}}</ref>
===The frenular delta===
[[Ken McGrath| McGrath]] (2001) described the frenular delta on the ventral side of the penis as the most sensitive part of the penis.<ref>{{REFbook
|last=McGrath
|first=
|init=K
|author-link=
|year=2001
|title= The frenular delta: a new preputial structure
|url=https://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/mcgrath1/
|work=Understanding Circumcision: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to a Multi-Dimensional Problem.
|editor=Denniston GC, Hodges FM, Milos MF, editors.
|edition=
|volume=
|chapter=Chapter 11
|pages=199-206
|location=New York
|publisher=Kluwer/Plenum
|ISBN=
|quote=The frenular delta is noted by men as the most sensitive area of their penis, especially in the mid-line nearest the frenulum, and the frenulum itself.
|accessdate=2025-09-30
|note=
}}</ref>
[[Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani| Cepeda-Emiliani]] et al. (2025) published the most complete review of penile innervation thus far. They confirmed that the frenulal delta is the most erogenously sensitive part of the penis and compared it to the female "G-spot".<ref name="cepeda2025">{{REFjournal
|last=Cepeda-Emiliani
|first=
|init=A
|author-link=Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani
|last2=Otero-Alén
|first2=
|init2=M
|author2-link=
|last3=Suárez-Quintanilla
|first3=
|init3=J
|author3-link=
|last4=Gándara-Cortés
|first4=
|init4=M
|author4-link=
|last5=García-Caballero
|first5=
|init5=T
|author5-link=
|last6=García-Caballero
|first6=
|init6=R
|author6-link=
|last7=García-Caballero
|first7=
|init7=L
|author7-link=
|etal=no
|title=The sensory penis: A comprehensive immunohistological and ontogenetic exploration of human penile innervation
|trans-title=
|journal=Andrology
|date=2025-09-19
|volume=
|issue=
|article=
|pages=1-41
|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/andr.70118
|archived=
|quote=
|pubmedID=40970806
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=10.1111/andr.70118
|accessdate=2025-09-30
}}</ref>
The <i>New Scientist</i> is now making the same claim.<ref>{{REFjournal
|last=Klein
|init=A
|author-link=
|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2520982-surprising-male-g-spot-found-in-most-detailed-study-of-the-penis-yet/
|title=Surprising male G-spot found in most detailed study of the penis yet
|journal=New Scientist
|date=2026-03-27
|volume=
|issue=
|pages=
|accessdate=2026-03-29
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


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  |quote=
  |quote=
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
----




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  |issue=
  |issue=
  |pages=134-5
  |pages=134-5
  |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright2/
  |url=https://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright2/
  |quote=The normal prepuce should be left alone, with no attempt to retract it until the boy is able to do it himself, at the earliest at three years of age.
  |quote=The normal prepuce should be left alone, with no attempt to retract it until the boy is able to do it himself, at the earliest at three years of age.
  |pubmedID=8295581
  |pubmedID=8295581
Line 274: Line 428:


A study by the Danish paediatrician and school doctor, [[Jakob Øster]], of 9,545 examinations of pupils, published in 1968, led to the following results<ref>{{OesterJ 1968}}</ref>:
A study by the Danish paediatrician and school doctor, [[Jakob Øster]], of 9,545 examinations of pupils, published in 1968, led to the following results<ref>{{OesterJ 1968}}</ref>:
<br><br>
 
{|border='1' style='text-align:right' cellpadding='2'
{|border='1' style='text-align:right' cellpadding='2'
!width='15%'|Age
!width='15%'|Age
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  |accessdate=2023-12-29
  |accessdate=2023-12-29
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
== Video ==
 
<br>
==Effect of foreskin restoration==
Previously [[circumcised]] men who have [[restored]] their [[foreskin]] report that their penis has much more [[Erogenous sensation of the foreskin| sensation]] with a foreskin. Restored men report being surprised by unexpected pleasurable sensations.
 
== Videos ==
=== The Penis ===
<youtube>v=4qbUdVk-QvE</youtube>
<youtube>v=4qbUdVk-QvE</youtube>
<br>
 
<b>What Happens to Your Penis As You Age? A Doctor Explains</b>
=== What Happens to Your Penis As You Age? A Doctor Explains===
<youtube>v=2ixNxjJOJu0</youtube>
<youtube>v=2ixNxjJOJu0</youtube>


{{SEEALSO}}
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[Body pleasure]]
* [[Circumcision - Penis SensitivityTest]]
* [[Circumcision - Penis SensitivityTest]]
* [[Erection]]
* [[Erection]]
* [[Erogenous sensation of the foreskin]]
* [[Foreskin]]
* [[Foreskin sensitivity]]
* [[Glans penis]]
* [[Gliding action]]
* [[Gliding action]]
* [[Long foreskins]]
* [[Jojoba]]
* [[Meissner's corpuscles]]
* [[Meissner's corpuscles]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
{{LINKS}}
{{LINKS}}
* {{REFbook
* {{REFbook
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}}
}}
* {{REFweb
* {{REFweb
  |url=http://www.intactaus.org/information/functionsoftheforeskin/
  |url=https://intactaus.org/information/functions-of-the-foreskin/
  |title=Functions of the Foreskin  
  |title=Functions of the Foreskin  
  |last=
  |last=
Line 378: Line 545:
  |publisher=Intact Australia
  |publisher=Intact Australia
  |date=
  |date=
  |accessdate=2024-01-14
  |accessdate=2025-07-27
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://intactamerica.org/key-functions-of-the-penis/
|title=The Four Functions of the Penis
|last=Cartwright-Smith
|first=Jeffrey
|init=
|author-link=Jeffrey Cartwright-Smith
|publisher=Intact America
|date=2025-09-28
|accessdate=2025-10-08
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.yourwholebaby.org/the-intact-male-body/
|title=Why is an Intact Penis Important?
|publisher=Your Whole Baby
|accessdate=2026-01-29
}}
* {{NSFW}} {{REFweb
|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/penisquestion/
|title=Penis question blog
|publisher=Reddit
|accessdate=2026-02-22
}}
}}
{{REF}}   
{{REF}}   


 
[[Category:Penis]]
[[Category:Genital]]
[[Category:Genital]]
[[Category:Male sexuality]]
[[Category:Male sexuality]]
Retrieved from "https://en.intactiwiki.org/wiki/Penis"