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[[Image:Glans side.jpg|right|thumb|Human penis with its foreskin retracted to expose the glans.]]
The glans penis, or simply the glans, refers to the ''head of the penis''. The glans is usually covered by a hood of folded skin called the [[foreskin]]. The foreskin moisturizes the glans penis by [[transudation]]. The surface of the glans is mucosal tissue that, under normal conditions, is moist and supple. If left uncovered for long periods of time, the surface of the glans begins to dry out. In the [[circumcision|circumcised]] penis, the glans is permanently exposed; the surface of the glans dries out and develops layers of [[keratinization|keratin]] and loses sensation.
The glans penis receives much of its blood supply through the [[frenular artery]].
==First retraction of the foreskin==
Functions of the [[foreskin]] include protecting the glans penis from abrasion and moistening it with body oils and moisture to keep it moist and sensitive.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998">{{REFjournal
|last=Fleiss
|first=P.
|author-link=Paul M. Fleiss
|last2=Hodges
|first2=F.
|author2-link=Frederick M. Hodges
|last3=Van Howe
|first3=R.S.
|author3-link=Robert S. Van Howe
|title=Immunological functions of the human prepuce
|journal=Sex Trans Infect
|date=1998-10
|volume=74
|issue=5
|pages=364-67
|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1758142/pdf/v074p00364.pdf
|quote=
|pubmedID=10195034
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=
|accessdate=2020-04-03
}}</ref>
It is normal for the glans penis (head of the penis) to be very sensitive to touch when the foreskin is retracted for the first time since birth.
There is no particular reason to touch the head so, if it is sensitive to touch, then one may simply avoid touching it. Keeping the foreskin forward in its protective position over the glans penis also prevents pain.
==Sensitivity and innervation of the glans penis ==