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| 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. | 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. | ||
| The ] and other ] have a bifurcated penis. That is, it separates into two separate columns, and so the penis terminates in two ends. | The ] and other ] have a bifurcated penis. That is, it separates into two separate columns, and so the penis terminates in two ends. | ||
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| The area on the underside of the penis, where the foreskin attaches, is called the ] (or frenulum). | 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 ]. | 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 ]. | ||
| The glans is protected by the foreskin, a piece of skin that can retract to expose the glans. For various culturual, religious and medical reasons, the foreskin is sometimes partly or completely removed; this is called ]. | The glans is protected by the foreskin, a piece of skin that can retract to expose the glans. For various culturual, religious and medical reasons, the foreskin is sometimes partly or completely removed; this is called ]. | ||
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| Erection is a stiffening and hardening of the penis which occurs in the sexually aroused male. Erection is required for ], ] and other ]. | Erection is a stiffening and hardening of the penis which occurs in the sexually aroused male. Erection is required for ], ] and other ]. | ||
| Erection 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 ]. | When this mechanism fails to function properly, the result is ]. Impotence in humans is treated with ] devices and with prescription drugs such as ]. | ||
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| === Size === | === Size === | ||
| From polling, the average male penis is 6 1/2 inches in length, though it varies quite a bit. Studies have also |
From polling, the average male penis is 6 1/2 inches in length, though it varies quite a bit. Studies have also suggested that African-American males have statistically larger penises than their Caucasian counterparts. | ||
| === Body Modification === | === Body Modification === | ||
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| See also: | |||
| See also ], ], ], ] | |||
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Revision as of 09:20, 3 August 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.
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.
Most of this article specifically discusses the human penis. It differs from other mammalian penises by lacking an erectile bone, instead relying entirely on engorgement with blood to reach its erect state, lacking the ability to be withdrawn into the groin, and being larger than average in proportion to body mass.
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.
The glans is protected by the foreskin, a piece of skin that can retract to expose the glans. For various culturual, religious and medical reasons, the foreskin is sometimes partly or completely removed; this is called circumcision.
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.
Size
From polling, the average male penis is 6 1/2 inches in length, though it varies quite a bit. Studies have also suggested that African-American males have statistically larger penises than their Caucasian counterparts.
Body Modification
The penis sometimes 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: