Preputial gland

Preputial glands are exocrine glands that are located in front of the genitals of some mammals (including mice) and produce pheromones. The preputial glands of female animals are sometimes called clitoral glands.

The best studied preputial glands are those of the House Mouse and the Brown Rat, because these two species are important model organisms and because their preputial glands are very similar in structure to the (much smaller) sebaceous glands of humans. The preputial glands of male musk deer produce strong-smelling musk which is of economic importance as it is used in perfumes.

Human homologues

There is debate about whether humans have functional homologues to preputial glands. Preputial glands were first noted by Edward Tyson and in 1694 fully described by William Cowper who named them Tyson's glands after Tyson. They are described as modified sebaceous glands located around the corona and inner surface of the prepuce of the human penis. They are believed to be most frequently found in the balanopreputial sulcus. Their secretion may be one of the components of smegma.

Some, including Satya Parkash, dispute their existence. While humans may not have true anatomical equivalents, the term may sometimes be used for tiny whitish yellow pimples occasionally found on the corona of the glans penis. The proper name for these structures is pearly penile papules (or hirsutoid papillomas). According to detractors, they are not glands but mere thickenings of the skin and are not involved in the formation of smegma.

See also

• List of specialized glands within the human integumentary system