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| == Size == | == Size == | ||
| In comparison to body size, the human male penis is among the largest of the ]s. From polling, the average human male penis is 5 1/2 ]es in length when fully engorged with blood during arousal, though this varies quite a bit. The size of a flaccid human penis has an even greater variation in both length and width that often does not predict the size of a fully aroused member. For example a man with a relatively small flaccid penis may have an above average length penis when fully aroused. The opposite is also true. | In comparison to body size, the human male penis is among the largest of the ]s. From polling, the average human male penis is 5 1/2 ]es (13.97 ]) in length when fully engorged with blood during arousal, though this varies quite a bit. The size of a flaccid human penis has an even greater variation in both length and width that often does not predict the size of a fully aroused member. For example a man with a relatively small flaccid penis may have an above average length penis when fully aroused. The opposite is also true. | ||
Revision as of 16:28, 17 December 2002
The penis (plural penises or penes) 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erectile bone, instead relying entirely on engorgement with blood to reach its erect state, lacking the ability to be withdrawn into the groin, and being larger than average in proportion to body mass.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
In comparison to body size, the human male penis is among the largest of the primates. From polling, the average human male penis is 5 1/2 inches (13.97 cm) in length when fully engorged with blood during arousal, though this varies quite a bit. The size of a flaccid human penis has an even greater variation in both length and width that often does not predict the size of a fully aroused member. For example a man with a relatively small flaccid penis may have an above average length penis when fully aroused. The opposite is also true.
Disorders affecting the penis
Pudendal Nerve Entrapment
Is a condition categorized by pain on sitting and loss of penis (or clitoris) sensation and orgasm. In fact, sometimes there is a total loss of sensation and orgasm. The pudendal nerve can be damaged by narrow hard cycle seats and accidents. In females it commonly occurs as a result of childbirth. It is treated in France (the leaders in this area), America and Egypt.
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. Apart from a penectomy, 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.
There are various slang terms in common usage to reference the penis. Disregarding more detailed, multi-worded terms (which are less commonly used,) some of them are: cock, dick, wang, rod, prick, schlong, pecker, snopp (Swedish)
See also: impotence, priapism, circumcision, sexual intercourse