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The foreskin provides physical protection to the glans penis and inner mucosa, protecting the mucosal tissue from pathogens, pollutants, friction, injury, and drying out.. The foreskin protects the glans penis and meatus from abrasion and irritation from ammoniacal diapers.<ref name="gairdner1949">{{REFjournal

}}</ref> Frisch & Simonsen (2016) reported the incidence of meatal stenosis to be 3.7 times higher in circumcised boys.<ref name="frisch2016"/>

Fleiss ''et al''. (1998) have listed numerous immunological functions of the foreskin that help to protect the human body against infection. The sub-preputial moisture contains cathepsin B, chymotrypsin, neutrophil elastase, cytokines, and lysozyme, which has the capacity to desttroy the cell walls of bacteria. The preputial muscles keep the tip of the foreskin closed to keep out pathogens.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998"/>

The foreskin is a sexual organ. It provides both mechanical and erogenous functions in sexual intercourse.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998"/>

}}</ref> During the thrusting of sexual congress, the gliding action reduces abrasions and irritation in the female partner and avoids problems with vaginal dryness.<ref name="warren-bigelow1994"/><ref name="morgan1965"/>

Nature designed the foreskin to be an erogenous sensory organ. The foreskin has a layer of muscle called the [[dartos]] muscle sheath that provides the foreskin with elasticity, flexibility, and stretchiness. 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"/>