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In male human anatomy, the '''glans penis''' (or simply glans, /ɡlænz/)[1] is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the [[penis]]. The glans is anatomically homologous to the [[clitoral glans]] of the human female. Typically, the glans 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.
[[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 normally 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 becomes desiccated. 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]].
==Sensitivity and innervation of the glans penis ==
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 da-Emiliani
|first=
|init=A
|author-link=Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani
|last2=Gándara-Cortés
|first2=
|init2=M
|author2-link=
|last3=Otero-Alén
|first3=
|init3=M
|author3-link=
|last4=García
|first4=
|init4=H
|author4-link=
|last5=Suárez-Quintanilla
|first5=
|init5=J
|author5-link=
|last6=García-Caballero
|first6=
|init6=T
|author6-link=
|last7=Gallego
|first7=
|init7=R
|author7-link=
|last8=García-Caballero
|first8=
|init8=R
|author8-link=
|etal=no
|title=Immunohistological study of the density and distribution of human penile neural tissue: gradient hypothesis
|trans-title=
|language=
|journal= Int J Impot Res
|location=
|date=2023-05-02
|volume=35
|issue=3
|article=
|page=
|pages=286-305
|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-022-00561-9
|archived=
|quote=
|pubmedID=35501394
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=10.1038/s41443-022-00561-9
|accessdate=2023-11-24
}}</ref>
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 [[dartos|dartos muscle sheet]] in the [[foreskin ]] produces contractions that are slow, sustained, and may produce great force, such as in cold temperatures.<ref name="jefferson1916">Jefferson G. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/jefferson/ The peripenic muscle; some observations on the anatomy of phimosis]. ''Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics'' 1916 Aug;23(2):177-81.</ref>
The innervation of the glans responds to pressure hence the glans are meant to be stimulated with the [[foreskin]] as its medium.
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.
The results of a fascinating study conducted by Dr. [[Christopher J. Cold]] and Dr. [[Ken McGrath|Kenneth A. McGrath]] demonstrate that the human [[foreskin]] is an evolutionary advancement over the foreskins of other primates. The human [[foreskin ]] is far more sophisticated and responsive, as their comparative anatomy studies prove. This is seen most clearly in the evolutionary increase in corpuscular innervation and simultaneous decrease in corpuscular receptors in the human glans relative to the innervation of the foreskin and glans of lower primates.<ref>Cold CJ, [[Ken McGrath|McGrath KA]]. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/cold-mcgrat/ Anatomy and histology of the penile and clitoral prepuce in primates: an evolutionary perspective of the specializes sensory tissue of the external genitalia]. In: Denniston GC, Hodges MF, Milos FM (eds). ''Male and female circumcision: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Practice''. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 1999. pp. 19-29</ref> In other words, in monkeys and apes, the [[glans]] is more sensitive then the foreskin. In humans, this is reversed, so that the foreskin is more sensitive then the glans. An impressive study performed by objective Chinese researchers conclusively demonstrated that [[circumcision]] reduces the glans sensitivity to vibration. "The test group were 1.97 +/- 0.71, 2.64 +/- 1.38, 3.09 +/-1.46 and 2.97 +/- 1.20 respectively before and 1, 2 and 3 months after circumcision, with significant difference between pre- and post-operation (P < 0.05)."(1)<ref name="yang2008">Yang, D.-M., Lin, H., Zhang, B., & Guo, W. (2008). [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18481425/ Circumcision affects glans penis vibration perception threshold]. ''Zhonghua nan ke xue National Journal of Andrology'', 14(4), 328-30. Retrieved 21 July 2021.</ref>
In other words, in monkeys and apes, the glans is more sensitive then the foreskin. In humans, this is reversed, so that the [[foreskin]] is more sensitive then the glans.
]
An impressive study performed by objective Chinese researchers conclusively demonstrated that [[adult circumcision| circumcision]] reduces the glans sensitivity to vibration. "The test group were 1.97 +/- 0.71, 2.64 +/- 1.38, 3.09 +/-1.46 and 2.97 +/- 1.20 respectively before and 1, 2 and 3 months after circumcision, with significant difference between pre- and post-operation (P < 0.05).<ref name="young2008">{{REFjournal
|last=Yang
|first=
|init=D
|author-link=
|last2=Lin
|first2=
|init2=H
|author2-link=
|last3=Zhang
|first3=
|init3=B
|author3-link=
|last4=Guo
|first4=
|init4=W
|author4-link=
|etal=no
|title=[Circumcision affects glans penis vibration perception threshold]
|trans-title=
|language=Chinese
|journal=Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue
|date=2008-04
|volume=14
|issue=4
|pages=328-30
|quote=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18481425?dopt=Abstract
|pubmedID=18481425
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=
|doi=
|accessdate=2024-03-14
}}</ref>
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[Sexual effects of circumcision]]
{{REF}}