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==Medical considerations==
==Medical considerations==
The meatus (opening) of the urethra is at the tip of the glans penis. In small boys who wear [[diaper]]s, the meatal area of the glans penis is at risk from meatitis, meatal ulceration, and possibly [[meatal stenosis]].<ref name="freud">{{cite journal | last = Freud | first = Paul | year = 1947 | month = August | title = The ulcerated urethral meatus in male children | journal = The Journal of Pediatrics | volume = 31 | issue = 2 | pages = 131-41 | doi = 10.1016/S0022-3476(47)80098-8 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/freud1/ | accessdate = 2006-07-07 }}</ref>
The meatus (opening) of the urethra is at the tip of the glans penis. In circumcised boys who wear [[diaper]]s, the meatal area of the glans penis is exposed to urea and at high risk for [[meatal stenosis]] (narrowing of the urethra). Parents are encouraged to change diapers every hour to prevent the meatal area from being exposed to urea and causing meatal stenosis, a common surgery performed on circumcised boys. <ref name="freud">{{cite journal | last = Freud | first = Paul | year = 1947 | month = August | title = The ulcerated urethral meatus in male children | journal = The Journal of Pediatrics | volume = 31 | issue = 2 | pages = 131-41 | doi = 10.1016/S0022-3476(47)80098-8 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/freud1/ | accessdate = 2006-07-07 }}</ref>


The epithelium of the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue.<ref name="halata2">{{cite journal | last = Halata | first = Zdenek | coauthors =A. Spaethe | year = 1997 | title =Sensory innervation of the human penis | journal = Advances in experimental medicine and biology | issue = 424 | pages = 265-6 | id = PMID 9361804 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/ | accessdate = 2006-07-07 }}</ref> Birley ''et al.'' report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and cause non-specific [[dermatitis]].<ref name="birley">{{cite journal | last = Birley | first = H. D. | coauthors = M .M. Walker, G. A. Luzzi, R. Bell, D. Taylor-Robinson, M. Byrne &
The epithelium of the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue.<ref name="halata2">{{cite journal | last = Halata | first = Zdenek | coauthors =A. Spaethe | year = 1997 | title =Sensory innervation of the human penis | journal = Advances in experimental medicine and biology | issue = 424 | pages = 265-6 | id = PMID 9361804 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/ | accessdate = 2006-07-07 }}</ref> Birley ''et al.'' report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and cause non-specific [[dermatitis]].<ref name="birley">{{cite journal | last = Birley | first = H. D. | coauthors = M .M. Walker, G. A. Luzzi, R. Bell, D. Taylor-Robinson, M. Byrne &

Revision as of 04:40, 9 August 2007

male sexual organs
File:Male anatomy.png
1. Testicles
2. Epididymis
3. Corpus cavernosa
4. Foreskin
5. Frenulum
6. Urethral opening
7. 8. Corpus spongiosum
9. Penis
10. Scrotum
Details
ArteryUrethral artery
Identifiers
LatinGraySubject = 262
TA98A09.4.01.007
TA23668
FMA18247
Anatomical terminology

The glans penis (or simply glans) is the pressure sensitive part of the penis (the touch sensitive part of the penis is known as the foreskin which is filled with nerve endings called stretch receptors that fire when they are stretched, rolled, or massaged). It is also commonly referred to as the "head" of the penis. Slang terms include "helmet" and "bell end". When the penis is flaccid it is wholly or partially covered by the foreskin, except in men who have been circumcised.

Medical considerations

The meatus (opening) of the urethra is at the tip of the glans penis. In circumcised boys who wear diapers, the meatal area of the glans penis is exposed to urea and at high risk for meatal stenosis (narrowing of the urethra). Parents are encouraged to change diapers every hour to prevent the meatal area from being exposed to urea and causing meatal stenosis, a common surgery performed on circumcised boys. [1]

The epithelium of the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue.[2] Birley et al. report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and cause non-specific dermatitis.[3]

Inflammation of the glans penis is known as balanitis. It occurs in 3–11% of males, and up to 35% of diabetic males. It has many causes, including irritation, or infection with a wide variety of pathogens. Careful identification of the cause with the aid of patient history, physical examination, swabs and cultures, and biopsy are essential in order to determine the proper treatment.[4]

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 (the coronal sulcus), behind which is the neck of the penis. The proportional size of the glans penis can vary greatly.

The foreskin maintains the mucosa in a moist environment.[5] In males who have been circumcised, but have not undergone restoration, the glans is permanently exposed and dry. Szabo and Short found that the glans of the circumcised penis does not develop a thicker keratinization layer.[6] Studies have suggested that the glans is equally sensitive in circumcised and uncircumcised males.[7] [8]

Halata & Munger (1986) report that the density of genital corpuscles is greatest in the corona glandis,[9] while Yang & Bradley (1998) report that their study "showed no areas in the glans to be more densely innervated than others."[10]

Halata & Spathe (1997) 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."[2]

Yang & Bradley argue that "The distinct pattern of innervation of the glans emphasizes the role of the glans as a sensory structure".[10]

Additional images

  • Diagram of the arteries of the penis.
    Diagram of the arteries of the penis.
  • Penis
    Penis
  • An uncircumcised glans penis
    An uncircumcised glans penis
  • A circumcised glans penis
    A circumcised glans penis
  • Side view circumcised glans penis
    Side view circumcised glans penis

See also

References

  1. ^ Freud, Paul (1947). "The ulcerated urethral meatus in male children". The Journal of Pediatrics. 31 (2): 131–41. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(47)80098-8. Retrieved 2006-07-07. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b Halata, Zdenek (1997). "Sensory innervation of the human penis". Advances in experimental medicine and biology (424): 265–6. PMID 9361804. Retrieved 2006-07-07. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Birley, H. D. (1993). "Clinical features and management of recurrent balanitis; association with atopy and genital washing". Genitourinary Medicine. 69 (5): 400–3. PMID 8244363. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); line feed character in |coauthors= at position 67 (help)
  4. ^ Edwards, Sarah (1996). "Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a review". Genitourinary Medicine. 72 (3): 155–9. PMID 8707315. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Prakash, Satya (1982). "Sub-Preputial Wetness--Its Nature". Annals Of National Medical Science (India). 18 (3): 109–112. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Szabo, Robert (2000). "How does male circumcision protect against HIV infection?". British Medical Journal. 320 (7249): 1592–4. PMID 10845974. Retrieved 2006-07-07. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Masters, William H. (1966). Human Sexual Response. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. pp. 189–91. ISBN 0-316-54987-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) (excerpt accessible here)
  8. ^ Bleustein, Clifford B. (2005). "Effect of neonatal circumcision on penile neurologic sensation". Urology. 65 (4): 773–7. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2004.11.007. PMID 15833526. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Halata, Zdenek (1986). "The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis". Brain Research. 371 (2): 205–30. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(86)90357-4. PMID 3697758. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ a b Yang, C. C. (1998). "Neuroanatomy of the penile portion of the human dorsal nerve of the penis". British Journal of Urology. 82 (1): 109–13. doi:10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00669.x. PMID 9698671. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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