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| The ''penis'' is the male copulatory organ, and, in mammals, the male organ of urinary excretion. It is homologous |
The '''penis''' is the male copulatory organ, and, in mammals, the male organ of urinary excretion. It is homologous to the female ], as it develops from the same embryonic structure. The penis and the ] comprise the male sexual organs. | ||
| === Structure === | |||
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| The end of corpus spongiosum is enlarged and cone-shaped and forms so called ]. | The end of corpus spongiosum is enlarged and cone-shaped and forms so called ]. A loose fold of skin partly covering the glans is called the foreskin or ]. | ||
| The area on the underside of the penis, where the foreskin attaches, is called the ] (or frenulum). | |||
| ⚫ | The ], which is the last part of ], traverses the corpus spongiosum and its end lies on the tip of the ]. It is both a passage for ] and for ] ejaculation. Semen enters the urethra from the ] through the ]. | ||
| === Erection === | |||
| Erection is a stiffening and hardening of the penis which occurs in the sexually aroused male. Erection is required for ], ] and other ]. | |||
| ⚫ | ] is achieved by influx of blood into a labyrinth of ] within the corpus cavernosa. The vessels are distended and reflex muscle contraction around veins traps blood in vessels of erectile tissue. | ||
| When this mechanism fails to function properly, the result is ]. Impotence in humans is treated with ] devices and with prescription drugs such as ]. | |||
| === Circumcision ==== | |||
| ] is the cutting off of part or all of the foreskin. | |||
| ⚫ | Many societies have practiced circumcision on ] or ] grounds, almost always on ]. A ] (]) or Bris (]) is a ] ritual circumcision required by ]. Most ] circumcise their children as a religious duty as well. | ||
| ⚫ | In the modern USA, many male infants are commonly circumcised on the grounds that circumcision reduces the risk of certain ] and ]. In recent years, modern studies have proven that health benefits do exist, but the amount of protection provided is lower than previously believed. Given that there are certain health risks involved in the procedure, routine circumcision of all male children is no longer recommended by most ] and other ]. | ||
| Contrast ], sometimes referred to as "female circumcision" by its practitioners. The euphemistic term sounds like male circumcision, but FGM is much more invasive and damaging. | |||
| === Other Species === | |||
| The ] and other ] have a bifurcated penis. That is, it separates into two separate columns, and so the penis terminates in two ends. | |||
| === Body Modification === | |||
| ⚫ | Erection is achieved by influx of blood into a labyrinth of ] |
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| The penis is one of the most common body parts pierced by ] and modified by other ]. Piercings of the penis include the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and others. | |||
| ⚫ | The ] |
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| Other physical modifications to the penis are also performed by some people, although they are considered very extreme. Perhaps the most radical of these is the ], in which the glans penis is bifurcated to look similar to that of the kangaroo. This modification was originally done among ], although it is now done by some in the U.S. and Europe. | |||
| A loose fold of skin partly covering the glans is called the foreskin or ]. ] is the cutting off of this fold of skin. | |||
| A small number of men who are circumcised attempt to restore their foreskin through various means, including surgical. This is called ]. | |||
| ⚫ | Many societies have practiced circumcision on religious or cultural grounds. A ] (Hebrew) or Bris (Yiddish) is a ] ritual circumcision required by Jewish law. Most ] |
||
| ---- | |||
| ⚫ | In the modern USA, many male infants are commonly circumcised on the grounds that circumcision reduces the risk of certain cancers and sexually transmitted diseases. In recent years, modern studies have |
||
| See also ], ], ], ] | |||
Revision as of 06:08, 8 January 2002
The penis is the male copulatory organ, and, in mammals, the male organ of urinary excretion. It is homologous to the female clitoris, as it develops from the same embryonic structure. The penis and the testes comprise the male sexual organs.
Structure
The penis is built of three columns of erectile tissue:
- the two corpora cavernosa and
- one corpus spongiosum which lies below them.
The end of corpus spongiosum is enlarged and cone-shaped and forms so called glans penis. A loose fold of skin partly covering the glans is called the foreskin or prepuce.
The area on the underside of the penis, where the foreskin attaches, is called the frenum (or frenulum).
The urethra, which is the last part of urinary tract, traverses the corpus spongiosum and its end lies on the tip of the glans penis. It is both a passage for urine and for semen ejaculation. Semen enters the urethra from the testes through the vas deferens.
Erection
Erection is a stiffening and hardening of the penis which occurs in the sexually aroused male. Erection is required for coitus, sexual intercourse and other sexual activities.
Erection is achieved by influx of blood into a labyrinth of blood vessels within the corpus cavernosa. The vessels are distended and reflex muscle contraction around veins traps blood in vessels of erectile tissue.
When this mechanism fails to function properly, the result is impotence. Impotence in humans is treated with prosthetic devices and with prescription drugs such as Viagra.
Circumcision =
Circumcision is the cutting off of part or all of the foreskin.
Many societies have practiced circumcision on religious or cultural grounds, almost always on infants. A Brit milah (Hebrew language) or Bris (Yiddish language) is a Jewish ritual circumcision required by Jewish law. Most Muslims circumcise their children as a religious duty as well.
In the modern USA, many male infants are commonly circumcised on the grounds that circumcision reduces the risk of certain cancers and sexually transmitted diseases. In recent years, modern studies have proven that health benefits do exist, but the amount of protection provided is lower than previously believed. Given that there are certain health risks involved in the procedure, routine circumcision of all male children is no longer recommended by most pediatricians and other physicians.
Contrast female genital mutilation, sometimes referred to as "female circumcision" by its practitioners. The euphemistic term sounds like male circumcision, but FGM is much more invasive and damaging.
Other Species
The kangaroo and other marsupials have a bifurcated penis. That is, it separates into two separate columns, and so the penis terminates in two ends.
Body Modification
The penis is one of the most common body parts pierced by body piercing and modified by other body art. Piercings of the penis include the Prince Albert piercing, the Apadrayva piercing, the Ampallang piercing, the dido piercing, the frenum piercing and others.
Other physical modifications to the penis are also performed by some people, although they are considered very extreme. Perhaps the most radical of these is the subincision, in which the glans penis is bifurcated to look similar to that of the kangaroo. This modification was originally done among Aborigines, although it is now done by some in the U.S. and Europe.
A small number of men who are circumcised attempt to restore their foreskin through various means, including surgical. This is called foreskin restoration.
See also impotence, priapism, circumcision, sexual intercourse
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