Changes

In male human anatomy, the '''glans penis''' (or simply glans, /ɡlænz/)[1] is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the [[penis]]. <ref>{{REFweb |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/glans+penis |title=glans penis |last= |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=The Free Dictionary by Farlex |date= |accessdate=2025-01-25}}</ref> The glans is anatomically homologous to the [[clitoral glans]] of the human female. Typically, the glans of the normal [[penis]] is completely or partially covered by the [[foreskin]], except in men who have been [[circumcised]], though the [[foreskin]] can generally be retracted over and past the glans.

Functions of the [[foreskin]] include protecting the glans penis from abrasion, [[keratinization]] and moistening it by with body oils and moisture to keep it moist, smooth, and glossy with full sensation.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998">{{FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998}}</ref> The glans of the [[foreskinned]] [[penis]] under the foreskin normally is kept moist to wet with a mixture of moisture and skin oil by [[transudation]]. The foreskin will also collect [[pre-ejaculate]] when it is secreted. When the foreskin is first retracted, There may be a substantial accumulation of beneficial [[smegma]] that has been collecting there harmlessly since birth.

There is no particular reason to touch the head glans so, if it is painful to touch, then one may simply avoid touching it. Nature provides the [[foreskin]] with its well known [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin| protective functions]]. Keeping Simply keeping the foreskin forward in its protective position over the glans penis also prevents will prevent pain.

[[Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani |Cepeda-Emiliani]] et al. (2023) reported the glans penis has dual innervation from both the dorsal and perineal nerves.<ref name="cepeda2023">{{REFjournal |last=Cepe daCepeda-Emiliani

}}</ref>  [[Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani|Cepeda-Emiliani]] et al. (2025) reported on the sensory corpuscles found in the glans and frenular region:<blockquote>A wide variety of sensory corpuscles in the glans and frenular regionwere spatially segregated in a highly organized manner (Figures 8–10and Figure S4). These included genital, Krause, Pacinian, Paciniform,Golgi-Mazzoni, Ruffini-like, Meissner, and numerous other corpuscles that were difficult to classify.<ref>{{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=2025-10-01}}</ref> </blockquote>

When the glans penis loses the protection of the [[foreskin]] it collects a layer of [[keratin]] and loses its glossy appearance. The thick layer of keratin drastically reduces sensitivity.<!--The human glans penis has virtually no fine touch sensation and can only sense deep pressure and pain at a high threshold. This was first reported by the inventor of the aesthesiometer,<!-- <ref>{{Von (1894)}} | [[Template:Von (1894)|see more]]</p></ref> --> and led Sir Henry Head to make his famous comparison with the back of the heel.<!-- <ref>{{Head (1920)}} | [[Template:Head (1920)|see more]]</p></ref> -->

The innervation of the glans responds to pressure hence , so the glans are is meant to be stimulated with the [[foreskin]] as its medium.

<!--Most people are surprised to learn that the glans penis is one of the least sensitive parts of the entire body.<ref name="halata1985">Halata Z, Munger BL. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata/ The Neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis]. ''Brain Res'' 1986 Apr 23;371(2):205-30.</ref>-->The glans is insensitive to light touch, heat, cold, and even pinpricks, as researches at the Department of Pathology in the [https://hsc.mb.ca/ Health Science Centre ] at the {{UNI|University of Manitoba|UManitoba}} discovered.<ref name="taylor1996">{{TaylorJR LockwoodAP TaylorAJ 1996}}</ref>The corona of the glans contains scattered free nerve endings, genital end bulbs, and pacinian corpuscles, which transmit sensations of pain and deep pressure. The glans is nearly incapable of detecting light touch.

Some men have reported that, after the glans penis is covered by a [[restored foreskin]], they experienced a peeling of a layer of [[keratin]] similar to the peeling that occurs after sunburn, however that is only the beginning of restoration of the glans penis. As [[foreskin restoration]] proceeds and more foreskin is available, the [[restored foreskin]] will start to cover the glans penis and the glans penis usually is bathed with natural skin oil and moisture by [[transudation]] in a manner similar to an [[intact]] [[penis]]. Over a period of several years, [[dekeratinization]] will continue and the glans will become softer, glossier, and more sensitive. There usually will be a return to more normal color. One cannot say how long this process will take due to a lack of data. Excessive washing of the restored [[preputial sac]] removes oil and should be avoided.<ref name="birley1993">{{REFjournal |last=Birley |init=HDL |author-link= |last2=Walker |init2=MM |author2-link= |last3=Luzzi |init3=GA |author3-link= |last4=Bell |init4=R |author4-link= |etal=yes |title=Clinical Features and management of recurrent balanitis; association with atopy and genital washing |trans-title= |language= |journal=Genitourin Med |location= |date=1993-10 |volume=69 |issue=5 |pages=400-3 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1195128/pdf/genitmed00029-0074.pdf |quote= |format=PDF |pubmedID=8244363 |pubmedCID=1195128 |DOI=10.1136/sti.69.5.400 |accessdate=2025-01-25}}</ref>