The structure and function of penis made incredibly
simple
Introduction
Penis
is the external male sex organ used to copulate and ejaculate semen and to
convey urine outside the body. The penis is the counterpart of the clitoris in
the female. In Latin, the word
"penis" originally meant "a tail." The Latin
"penis" is related to the verb pendere meaning "to hang
down."
The
penis is a wonder of nature, a pleasure receptor so perfect it has no doubt
inspired many of the myths of man due to its seeming intelligent design. It is,
at times, remarkably sensitive and protuberant, and at others durable and
discreet.
Structure of penis
a) Glans: The head of the penis is normally
shiny and supple. It is the highly innervated and sensitive homologue to the
female clitoris. The glans is really an internal organ except during sexual
arousal, when it emerges from the prepuce. The surface of the glans is not
skin, but mucous membrane, like the inside of the lips. In circumcised men, the
mucous membrane becomes keratinized; which is to say dried, thickened, and
insensitive - in a word, calloused.
The
ridge where the glans blends with the shaft of the penis is called the corona.
Even in circumcised men, the corona is very sensitive, if not ticklish, during
arousal.
b) Frenulum: The frenulum is a very
elastic connective tissue joining the ventral (under) side of the glans to the
skin tube. During arousal the frenulum is so sensitive that persistent light
flicking of only this area is sufficient to bring most men to orgasm. After
arousal subsides, the frenulum pulls the prepuce skin back into place over the
glans, protecting the glans from the drying effects of air and whatever the
penis might come into contact with (clothing, bedding).
c) Inner Skin: Just below the corona is a
region known is the inner skin or pink skin. Like the glans, this area only sees
daylight during arousal, and is protected by the skin tube at other times. In
the circumcised penis, more than half of the pink skin is typically removed.
The
pink skin has sebaceous glands which exude natural emollients. These fight
bacteria and keep the skin soft and sensitive. When combined with dead skin
cells, the emollients make up a natural compound known as smegma. Smegma can be
rinsed away with clear water (not soap - avoid dissolving the protective
emollients) if desired. It has a musky aroma, not dis-similar to that
associated with female genitalia. If any type of cleanser is to be used it should
be a non-soap liquid like Cetaphil.
d) Skin Tube: The main shaft of the
penis is covered by a folded tube of skin. This area is less sensitive than the
pink skin. In a circumcised man, the base of the shaft area includes
hair-bearing skin that would have otherwise been on the scrotum or pubic mound.
Hairiness migrates up the shaft due to a lifetime of tension from erections. Intact
men have no coarse hairs on the penis shaft.
e) Prepuce: The prepuce is the
portion of inner and outer skin that covers the glans. Also known as the
foreskin, this (along with most of the frenulum typically) is what is removed
in circumcision. The leading edge of the prepuce where it folds back contains
specialized nerve receptors, sometimes called J-cells that respond to being straightened.
f) Erectile Tissue: Within the shaft of the
penis are three chambers of erectile tissue that engorge with blood during arousal.
These are rooted deep within the body, so that the true length of the penis is
a few inches more than what is seen externally.
g) Urethra: The urethra is the duct
that carries urine and semen from the body. It runs just under the frenulum,
and this area (about an inch down from the glans) is (in not everyone's
opinion) the male homologue to the G-Spot. Just as in the female G-spot, the
urinary ductwork is present, and just as in the female it responds to a deep
kneading stimulation, but only at a moment of very thorough arousal.
Function of penis
The
functions of penis can be divided into two main types:
- Penis acts as a source or
passageway to expel the unwanted wastes out of the body in the form of
urine.
- Penis acts as the key
reproductive organ or genital in males and hence is responsible for
procreation.
- Other secondary functions of
penis include an important factor in achieving sexual and psychological
satisfaction, pleasure and social well being.
Speaking
of its function (or physiology), your penis is made up of 3 main areas, 2 large
chambers on the top (The technical term for this is the Corpora Cavernosa) and
1 smaller chamber on the bottom (the Corpus Spongiosum).
When
you gain an erection your penis fills with blood, filling these three chambers.
The Corpus Spongiosum is the chamber used mainly when you urinate and
ejaculate. The Corpora Cavernosa however, is the main blood holding chamber of
the penis. This is where 90% of all blood is retained each and every time you
gain an erection.
Understanding erection of the penis
The
penis does not contain any bones or muscle but is made up of soft, spongy
tissue that is full of blood vessels and lots of nerves. When a man is sexually
excited, these vessels fill with blood. This causes the penis to enlarge and
stiffen, which is called an erection. When semen comes out of the penis it is
called ejaculation.
Erection
is achieved by filling the two Corpora Cavernosa chambers with blood. Unlike some
other mammals, humans have to rely instead on engorgement with blood to reach
erection. When the erection is triggered
by sexual stimulation, the arteries that bring blood to the penis dilate in
order to increase blood flow. The sponge-like Corpora Cavernosa fills up with
blood, which makes the penis stiff. The stiffer tissues constrict the veins
that carry blood away from the penis in order to maintain the erection.
The three states of penis
Based
on its existing state or condition, a penis, at a time, can have one of the
following three states:
Flaccid penis: A flaccid penis is one
that is unstimulated or not aroused, and would be seen when the man is in the
normal position.
Flaccid stretched penis: A flaccid stretched penis
is when the flaccid penis is pulled to its maximal distance.
Erect penis: An erect penis is one that
is maximally stimulated, either through visual, tactile or pharmaceutical
manipulation.
How to measure the length of your penis?
Here
is the simplest and easiest way to measure your penis at home. After obtaining
an erection, angle your penis down until it is parallel to the floor. Set your
ruler or measurement tape against your pubic bone just above the base of the
penis, and measure to the tip. This will be the average length of your penis in
erect state.