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Contrary to some common misconceptions, the prepuce ([[foreskin]]) is not just a double fold of "[[skin]]" covering the glans penis. The foreskin is an organ of touch, an anatomically unique structure with its own complex vascular and neural systems and separate attachments to its parts and to the penis. [[Skin ]] is for containment, attached to the tissue beneath and cannot move independently. The foreskin is the separate and distinct tissues fore (before) the [[skin ]] of the penile shaft. The following description of the foreskin is that of the flaccid (non-erect) penis as the structural dynamics of the foreskin changes dramatically as the penis proceeds through tumescence to erection.

The foreskin consists of the outer foreskin, an extension of the shaft [[skin ]] from the back of the sulcus to the foreskin opening, not attached nor part of any other structure which makes the underside of the outer foreskin unique from any other [[skin ]] found on the body, turns beneath itself at the mucocutaneous juncture where the [[preputial mucosa|inner foreskin]] begins. The inner foreskin [[mucosa]] begins at the mucocutaneous junction and is specialized and separate tissue which continues from this junction, traveling between the outer foreskin and the glans, attaching to the penis at the back of the sulcus beneath the end of the shaft [[skin ]] and beginning of the outer foreskin at the top of the penis (about 10mm to 25mm, 3/8 to 1 inch, behind the back of the glans). The inner foreskin continues toward the [[glans]] at the sides and transitions into the frenulum toward the bottom.<ref name="taylor1996">{{TaylorJR LockwoodAP TaylorAJ 1996}}</ref>

At birth the [[Foreskin#Foreskin_in_infancy_and_childhood| infant boy's foreskin]] is almost always [[synechia| fused]] to his [[glans]] as his penis is not fully developed and one [[Immunological_and_protective_function_of_the_foreskin#The_protective_and_hygienic_function_of_the_foreskin| protective function of the foreskin]] is to keep feces and other foreign substances from the meatal opening and the urinary tract of the infant and toddler. That is why the only care for the intact penis is to leave it alone, completely alone. No doctor, nurse, parent or any other care provider should ever investigate, probe or examine his foreskin, especially any forced retraction which will tear foreskin from glans. The undisturbed glans and inner foreskin [[preputial mucosa|mucosa]] is uncontaminated and any such trespasses may introduce that which the foreskin is designed to keep out.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998">{{REFjournal