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→Sensory functions: Add inline link.
===Sensory functions===
Nature designed the foreskin to be an [[Foreskin sensitivity| erogenous sensory organ]]. The foreskin has a layer of muscle called the [[dartos]] muscle sheath that provides the foreskin with elasticity, flexibility, and stretchiness, which allows full stimulation of the nerves in the [[ridged band]] that sense movement and stretching to provide [[foreskin sensitivity]]. There is a mucocutaneous region at the tip of the foreskin where outer skin changes to inner mucosa. Winklemann (1959) identified the foreskin as a ''specific erogenous zone'' (meaning an area of acute erogenous sensation). Winklemann reported rete ridges in the foreskin with nerves set close to the surface with closely set networks.<ref name="winklemann1959"/>
Lakshamanan & Prakash (1980) report the "prepuce covers the glans completely and snugly like a hosiered material and continues to do so through the entire span of life of the male", which they explain as being caused by the smooth muscle fibers within the prepuce. The prepuce is free to glide back and forth. When it does, it must stretch to go over the glans penis.<ref name="lakshmanan-prakash1980" />