Foreskin

The outside of the foreskin is like normal skin but the inside of the foreskin is a membrane like the inside of an eyelid or mouth. The foreskin is attached to the penis by the frenulum, but it can move. It is very stretchy.[1] On the penis, the most sensitive areas to fine-touch are located on the foreskin.[2] The foreskin can be pierced or slit for fashion reasons.[3] If the foreskin is not cared for daily it comes to Smegma, a mixture of epithelial cells, skin secretions and fluid, which accumulate under the foreskin of the penis with a characteristic strong foul-smelling odor and taste, caused by lactic acid bacteria. The foreskin must be rolled back and washed to prevent Smegma.[4][5]

The foreskin contains Meissner’s corpuscles, which are nerve endings involved in fine-touch sensitivity. They are most numerous in the “ridged band”, the junction of the inner and outer foreskin layers, and least numerous in the smooth inner layer of foreskin. Compared to other hairless skin areas on the body, the Meissner's index was highest in the finger tip (0.96) and lowest in the foreskin (0.28). The foreskin is the least sensitive hairless tissue of the body.[6] A study also found that “the number of these nerve endings decreases significantly after the teenage to young adult years when sexual activity begins. This makes it very difficult to propose any sexual function for Meissner’s corpuscles. A more feasible hypothesis is to regard them as a juvenile phenomenon, perhaps serving to protect the penis until the onset of puberty reveals its sexual function.”[6]

Studies in sexual sensation concluded that the glans, not the foreskin, is involved in sexual sensation, particularly the corona and frenular (the area under the frenulum) areas.[6] Thus, speculation and outdated opinion pieces claiming special properties of the foreskin, such as in penile function and masturbation, should be viewed with skepticism.[7]

Perhaps sensitivity of the foreskin to fine touch might have served as an “early warning system” in our naked upright forebears from the intrusion of biting insects and parasites while protecting the glans.[8]

Foreskin of a human penis, with the glans (end of the penis) partially showing

The foreskin can keep the glans penis comfortable, moist, and protect it.[7]

In modern times, there is controversy regarding whether the foreskin is a vital or vestigial structure.[9] In 1949, British physician Douglas Gairdner noted that the foreskin plays an important protective role in newborns. He wrote, “It is often stated that the prepuce is a vestigial structure devoid of function... However, it seems to be no accident that during the years when the child is incontinent the glans is completely clothed by the prepuce, for, deprived of this protection, the glans becomes susceptible to injury from contact with sodden clothes or napkin.”[9] (Of course, the animals from which humans evolved had foreskins millions of years before babies wore diapers or clothing.) During the physical act of sex, the foreskin reduces friction, which can reduce the need for additional sources of lubrication.[9] "Some medical researchers, however, claim circumcised men enjoy sex just fine and that, in view of recent research on HIV transmission, the foreskin causes more trouble than it’s worth."[9] The area of the outer forskin measures between 7–100 cm2,[10] and the inner foreskin measures between 18 and 68 cm2,[11] which is a wide range. Regarding vestigial structures, Charles Darwin wrote, “An organ, when rendered useless, may well be variable, for its variations cannot be checked by natural selection.”[8] In the March 2017 publication of the Global Health Journal: Science and Practice, Morris and Krieger wrote, "The variability in foreskin size is consistent with the foreskin being a vestigial structure." It has been found that larger foreskins place uncircumcised men at an increased risk for HIV infection[12] most likely due to the larger surface area of inner foreskin and the high concentration of Langerhans cells.[13]

Moses and Bailey (1998), say that "it has not been demonstrated that [the foreskin] is associated with increased male sexual pleasure."[14]

Circumcision before (left) and after (right)

Circumcision is when the foreskin is cut off. The removal of the foreskin can protect against certain medical conditions and infections. It is done to satisfy medical, religious, hygienic, ritual, and aesthetic views.[15] Circumcision is common in many countries such as the United States, South Korea, Israel and Muslim countries.

Penis with glans ring

Autocircumcision, the foreskin is held permanently behind the glans, by rings or other methods, and looked as to be circumcised. The tradition of Autocircumcision is practised in Japan.[16][17] Also Members of the Ananda Marga hold there foreskin back or circumcised it.[18]

Stages of non-surgical restoration

Foreskin restoration would involve expanding the skin to make something similar to the foreskin, but connective tissues cut during circumcision cannot be brought back. Some companies are testing regeneration of a pure foreskin, but as of April 2021, there is nothing new in that field. The reason of a foreskin restoration is, forced circumcised Men want back a foreskin, mainy done in USA.[19]

• Anatomy
• Circumcision
• Genitals
• Masturbation
• Human penis
• Smegma

• Foreskin.org - Many pictures of human foreskin Archived 2005-01-12 at the Wayback Machine