Glans penis: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:glans.jpg|thumb|200px|Glans of a circumcised penis.]]The '''glans penis''' is the sensitive erectile tip of the [[penis]]. It is wholly or partially covered by the [[foreskin]], except when the foreskin is retracted, such as during [[sexual intercourse]] while the penis is [[erection|erect]]. The foreskin maintains the mucosa in a moist environment. In males who have been [[circumcision | circumcised]], but have not undergone [[foreskin restoration|restoration]], the glans is permanently exposed. |
[[Image:glans.jpg|thumb|200px|Glans of a circumcised penis.]]The '''glans penis''' is the sensitive erectile tip of the [[penis]]. It is wholly or partially covered by the [[foreskin]], except when the foreskin is retracted, such as during [[sexual intercourse]] while the penis is [[erection|erect]]. The foreskin maintains the mucosa in a moist environment. In males who have been [[circumcision | circumcised]], but have not undergone [[foreskin restoration|restoration]], the glans is permanently exposed and dry. |
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The meatus (opening) of the urethra is at the tip of the glans penis. In infants and young boys, the meatal area of the glans penis is at risk from meatitis, meatal ulceration, and possibly meatal stenosis. Some studies report that circumcised males |
The meatus (opening) of the urethra is at the tip of the glans penis. In infants and young boys, the meatal area of the glans penis is at risk from meatitis, meatal ulceration, and possibly meatal stenosis. Some studies report that circumcised males are at greater risk.[http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/brennemann1/] [http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/freud1/] [http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/persad/] [http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/upadhyay1/] Ulceration occurs chiefly in circumcised children but may be found in the noncircumcised as well if the prepuce leaves the tip of the glans to irritation.[http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/brennemann1/] |
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The epithelium of the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue.[http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/] Birley ''et al.'' report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and cause non-specific dermatitis.[http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/balanitis/birley/] |
The epithelium of the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue.[http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/] Birley ''et al.'' report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and cause non-specific dermatitis.[http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/balanitis/birley/] |
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Halata & Spathe reported that "the glans penis contains a predominance of free nerve endings, numerous genital end bulbs and rarely Pacinian and Ruffinian corpuscles. Merkel nerve endings and Meissner corpuscles are not present."[http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/] |
Halata & Spathe reported that "the glans penis contains a predominance of free nerve endings, numerous genital end bulbs and rarely Pacinian and Ruffinian corpuscles. Merkel nerve endings and Meissner corpuscles are not present."[http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/] |
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Yang & Bradley |
Yang & Bradley argue that "The distinct pattern of innervation of the glans emphasizes the role of the glans as a sensory structure".[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9698671] |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Corpus cavernosum]] |
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[[Corpus spongiosum]] |
[[Corpus spongiosum]] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*Freud P. [http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/freud1/ The ulcerated urethral meatus in male children]. ''J Pediatr'' 1947;31(4):131-41. |
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*Halata Z, Munger BL. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata/ The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis]. ''Brain Research'' 1986;371(2):205-30. |
*Halata Z, Munger BL. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata/ The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis]. ''Brain Research'' 1986;371(2):205-30. |
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*Halata Z, Spaethe A. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/ Sensory innervation of the human penis]. ''Adv Exp Med Biol'' 1997;424:265-6. |
*Halata Z, Spaethe A. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/ Sensory innervation of the human penis]. ''Adv Exp Med Biol'' 1997;424:265-6. |
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[[Category:reproductive system]] |
[[Category:reproductive system]] |
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Revision as of 12:10, 18 February 2005
The glans penis is the sensitive erectile tip of the penis. It is wholly or partially covered by the foreskin, except when the foreskin is retracted, such as during sexual intercourse while the penis is erect. The foreskin maintains the mucosa in a moist environment. In males who have been circumcised, but have not undergone restoration, the glans is permanently exposed and dry.
The meatus (opening) of the urethra is at the tip of the glans penis. In infants and young boys, the meatal area of the glans penis is at risk from meatitis, meatal ulceration, and possibly meatal stenosis. Some studies report that circumcised males are at greater risk.[1] [2] [3] [4] Ulceration occurs chiefly in circumcised children but may be found in the noncircumcised as well if the prepuce leaves the tip of the glans to irritation.[5]
The epithelium of the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue.[6] Birley et al. report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and cause non-specific dermatitis.[7]
Anatomical details
The glans penis is the expanded cap of the corpus spongiosum. It is moulded on the rounded ends of the corpora cavernosa penis, extending farther on their upper than on their lower surfaces. At the summit of the glans is the slit-like vertical external urethral orifice. The circumference of the base of the glans forms a rounded projecting border, the corona glandis, overhanging a deep retroglandular sulcus, behind which is the neck of the penis.
Halata & Munger report that the density of genital corpuscles is greatest in the corona glandis,[8] while Yang & Bradley report that their study "showed no areas in the glans to be more densely innervated than others."[9]
Halata & Spathe reported that "the glans penis contains a predominance of free nerve endings, numerous genital end bulbs and rarely Pacinian and Ruffinian corpuscles. Merkel nerve endings and Meissner corpuscles are not present."[10]
Yang & Bradley argue that "The distinct pattern of innervation of the glans emphasizes the role of the glans as a sensory structure".[11]
See also
External links
- Freud P. The ulcerated urethral meatus in male children. J Pediatr 1947;31(4):131-41.
- Halata Z, Munger BL. The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis. Brain Research 1986;371(2):205-30.
- Halata Z, Spaethe A. Sensory innervation of the human penis. Adv Exp Med Biol 1997;424:265-6.
- Yang CC, Bradley WE Neuroanatomy of the penile portion of the human dorsal nerve of the penis. Br J Urol 1998;82(1):109-13.