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foreskin

anatomy
Also known as: prepuce

Quick Summary

The foreskin, also known as the prepuce, is a fold of skin that covers the glans of the penis. The glans penis is the rounded, bulbous tip of the penis and is composed of erectile tissue covered by the foreskin. In uncircumcised males, the foreskin can be retracted to expose the glans.123

Circumcision is the surgical removal of all or part of the foreskin. This practice has ancient origins and has been viewed by anthropologists as a way to inscribe social identity, such as gender, purity, or maturity, onto the body. The timing and meaning of circumcision have varied across cultures and time periods, often serving religious or ritualistic purposes. Medically, the foreskin can accumulate smegma, a substance that may cause discomfort or odor if hygiene is not maintained.4

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