Foreskin: Difference between revisions

<div class='res-img'>[[File:Infographic Foreskin.jpg|Foreskin - Anatomy and function]]</div>

The '''foreskin''' or '''prepuce''' is the double-layered fold of smooth muscle tissue, blood vessels, neurons, [[skin]], and [[mucosa| mucous membrane]] part of the [[penis]] that creates the [[preputial sac]], while covering and protecting the [[glans penis]] and the [[urinary meatus]].

}}</ref></blockquote>

==Origin==

  |last=Darwin

  |first=Charles

  |accessdate=2024-12-18

  |note=

== Structure ==

The foreskin is considered to have three parts:

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

* The [[frenulum]] which connects the foreskin to the [[glans penis]] and usually limits retraction.

===Foreskin in infancy and childhood===

===Foreskin length===

  |url=http://acroposthion.com/the-tip-at-the-end/

  |title=The ‘Tip’ At The End

* Foreskin extends beyond head: 6.4%<ref>Gebhard, P. H., Johnson, A. B., & Kinsey, A. C. (1998). Table 81. In: <i>The Kinsey Data: Marginal Tabulations of the 1938–1963 Interviews Conducted by the Institute for Sex Research.</i> Indiana University Press. </ref>

<i>See [[Development_of_retractable_foreskin#Adult_foreskin| Adult foreskin]].</i>

Antique research by Alfred Kinsey (1948)<ref>{{REFbook

The foreskin functions as a hose nozzle during [[urination]]. It confines and consolidates the multiple urine streams from the [[urethra]] into one stream that can easily be controlled and aimed as necessary.

=== Erection functions ===

When [[erection]] of the [[penis]] occurs, the penis also expands in both circumference and length, so more skin is needed to cover it and allow painless erection. The foreskin unfolds to provide additional skin and permits [[intact]] men to enjoy painless erection, unlike many [[circumcised]] men who experience very tight, painful skin when [[erection]] occurs.

}}</ref>

=== Immunological functions ===

The prepuce provides a large and important platform for several nerves and nerve endings. The innervation of the outer skin of the prepuce is impressive; its sensitivity to light touch and pain are similar to that of the skin of the penis as a whole.<ref name="taylor1996" />

</blockquote>

Sorrells et al. (2007) conducted a fine-touch study of the penis of both [[circumcised]] and [[intact]] men. Sorrells et al. concluded:

  |DOI=10.1111/joa.13481  

  |accessdate=2021-11-15

}}</ref>

== Sexual behavior ==

Laumann et al. (1997) reported that men who lack a foreskin "engage in a somewhat more elaborated set of sexual practices than do men who are not [[circumcised]]. For each of the practices examined, lifetime experience of various forms of oral and anal sex and [[masturbation]] frequency in the past year, [[circumcised]] men engaged in these behaviors at greater rates. The difference between [[circumcised]] men was greatest for [[masturbation]] — ironically, a practice that [[circumcision]] was once thought to limit. A total of 47% of circumcised men reported masturbating at least once a month vs 34% for their [[uncircumcised]] peers."<ref name="laumann1997>{{REFjournal

* [[Circumcision - Penis SensitivityTest]]

* [[Erogenous sensation of the foreskin]]

* [[Foreskin in Motion]]

* [[Frenulum]]

* [[Gliding action]]

* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]

* [[Living with a foreskin in circumcised America]]

* [[Longer foreskin is favored]]

* [[Pre-ejaculate]]

  |date=2022-06-12

  |accessdate=2024-10-05

}}

* {{REFweb

  |date=2025-07-03

  |accessdate=2025-09-06

}}

* {{REFweb

  |accessdate=2025-11-03

}}

[[Category:Foreskin anatomy]]

[[Category:Foreskinned life]]

[[Category:Physiology]]

[[Category:Male sexuality]]

[[Category:From Intactipedia]]

[[de:Vorhaut]]