Preputial mucosa
The preputial mucosa of the penis is the epithelium of the inside of the prepuce, or foreskin. To differentiate it from the cutaneous skin of the outside of the prepuce, it is sometimes referred to as the inner mucosa. It starts at the mucocutaneous junction at the tip of the prepuce and continues to the coronal sulcus (groove behind the glans penis), where it meets the epithelium of the glans and penile shaft.[1] The preputial mucosa is devoid of hair, as is the cutaneous surface.[2]
Fleiss et al. (1998) report the inner mucosa contains apocrine glands, which secrete cathepsin B, lysozyme, chymotrypsin, neutrophil elastase, and hormones such as androsterone. The first four substances have protective immunological functions.[3]
After circumcision, the residual mucosa is found between the circumcision scar and the glans penis. The mucosa is no longer moisturized by transudation from the foreskin and becomes desiccated and keratinized. Non-surgical foreskin restoration helps the mucosa to return to normal by dekeratinization.
Care
Birley et al. (1993) recommend that the use of soap and excessive washing inside the foreskin be avoided.[4]
See also
References
- ↑
Cold CJ, Taylor JR. The prepuce. BJU Int. January 1999; 83, Suppl. 1: 34-44. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ↑ Taylor JR, Lockwood AP, Taylor AJ. The prepuce: specialized mucosa of the penis and its loss to circumcision. Br J Urol. 1996; 77: 291-5. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
- ↑ Fleiss P, Hodges F, Van Howe RS. Immunological functions of the human prepuce. Sex Trans Infect. October 1998; 74(5): 364-67. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ↑ Birley HDL, Walker MM, Luzzi GA, Bell R, et al. Clinical Features and management of recurrent
balanitis; association with atopy and genital
washing]. Genitourin Med. October 1993; 69(5): 400-3. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
