Glans penis
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[[Image:glanspenis.png|thumb|glans penis (arrow)]]
The '''glans penis''' (or simply ''glans'') is the sensitive tip of the [[penis]]. It is also commonly referred to as the "head" of the penis. Slang terms include "helmet" and "bell end". When the penis is flaccid it is wholly or partially covered by the [[foreskin]], except in men who have been [[circumcision|circumcised]].
==Medical considerations==
The meatus (opening) of the urethra is at the tip of the glans penis. In circumcised infants who wear [[diaper]]s, the meatal area of the glans penis is without the protection of the foreskin and at slight risk of meatitis, meatal ulceration, and [[meatal stenosis]].<ref name="freud">{{cite journal | last = Freud | first = Paul | year = 1947 | month = August | title = The ulcerated urethral meatus in male children | journal = The Journal of Pediatrics | volume = 31 | issue = 2 | pages = 131–41 | doi = 10.1016/S0022-3476(47)80098-8 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/freud1/ | accessdate = 2006-07-07 }}</ref>
The epithelium of the glans penis is mucocutaneous tissue.<ref name="halata2">{{cite journal | last = Halata | first = Zdenek | coauthors =A. Spaethe | year = 1997 | title =Sensory innervation of the human penis | journal = Advances in experimental medicine and biology | issue = 424 | pages = 265–6 | pmid = 9361804 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/halata2/ | accessdate = 2006-07-07 }}</ref> Birley ''et al.'' report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and cause non-specific [[dermatitis]].<ref name="birley">{{cite journal | last = Birley | first = H. D. | coauthors = M .M. Walker, G. A. Luzzi, R. Bell, D. Taylor-Robinson, M. Byrne &
A. M. Renton | year = 1993 | month = October | title = Clinical features and management of recurrent balanitis; association with atopy and genital washing | journal = Genitourinary Medicine | volume = 69 | issue = 5 | pages = 400–3 | pmid = 8244363 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/balanitis/birley/ }}</ref>
Inflammation of the glans penis is known as [[balanitis]]. It occurs in 3–11% of males, and up to 35% of diabetic males. It has many causes, including irritation, or infection with a wide variety of pathogens. Careful identification of the cause with the aid of patient history, physical examination, swabs and cultures, and biopsy are essential in order to determine the proper treatment.<ref name="edwards">{{cite journal | last = Edwards | first = Sarah | year = 1996 | month = June | title =Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a review | journal = Genitourinary Medicine | volume = 72 | issue = 3 | pages = 155–9 | pmid = 8707315 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/balanitis/edwards1/ }}</ref>
==Anatomical details==
The glans [[penis]] is the expanded cap of the [[corpus spongiosum]]. It is moulded on the rounded ends of the [[Corpora cavernosa penis]], extending farther on their upper than on their lower surfaces. At the summit of the glans is the slit-like vertical external urethral orifice. The circumference of the base of the glans forms a rounded projecting border, the ''corona glandis'', overhanging a deep retroglandular [[Sulcus (anatomy)|sulcus]] (the ''coronal sulcus''), behind which is the neck of the penis. The proportional size of the glans penis can vary greatly.
The foreskin maintains the mucosa in a moist environment.<ref name="prakash>{{cite journal | last = Prakash | first = Satya | coauthors = Raghuram Rao, K. Venkatesan & S. Ramakrishnan | year = 1982 | month = July | title = Sub-Preputial Wetness--Its Nature | journal = Annals Of National Medical Science (India) | volume = 18 | issue = 3 | pages = 109–112 | url =http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/prakash/}}</ref> In males who have been [[circumcision|circumcised]], but have not undergone [[foreskin restoration|restoration]], the glans is permanently exposed and dry. Szabo and Short found that the glans of the circumcised penis does not develop a thicker keratinization layer.<ref name="szabo">{{cite journal | last = Szabo | first = Robert | coauthors = Roger V. Short | year = 2000 | month = June | title = How does male circumcision protect against HIV infection? | journal = British Medical Journal | volume = 320 | issue = 7249 | pages = 1592–4 | pmid = 10845974 | url =http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/320/7249/1592 | accessdate = 2006-07-07 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.320.7249.1592 }}</ref> Studies have suggested that the glans is equally sensitive in circumcised and uncircumcised males.<ref name="masters">{{cite book | last = Masters | first = William H. | coauthors = Virginia E. Johnson | title = Human Sexual Response | year = 1966 | publisher = Little, Brown & Co | location = Boston | id = ISBN 0-316-54987-8 | pages = 189-91}} (excerpt accessible [http://www.circs.org/library/masters/ here])</ref> <ref name="bleustein">{{cite journal | last = Bleustein | first = Clifford B. | coauthors = James D. Fogarty, Haftan Eckholdt, Joseph C. Arezzo and Arnold Melman | year = 2005 | month = April | title = Effect of neonatal circumcision on penile neurologic sensation | journal = Urology | volume = 65 | issue = 4 | pages = 773–7 | doi = 10.1016/j.urology.2004.11.007 | pmid = 15833526 }}</ref>
Halata & Munger (1986) report that the density of [[genital corpuscles]] is greatest in the corona glandis,<ref name="halata1">{{cite journal | last = Halata | first = Zdenek | coauthors = Bryce L. Munger | year = 1986 | month = April | title = The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis | journal = Brain Research | volume = 371 | issue = 2 | pages = 205–30 | doi =10.1016/0006-8993(86)90357-4 | pmid = 3697758 }}</ref> while Yang & Bradley (1998) report that their study "showed no areas in the glans to be more densely innervated than others."<ref name="yang">{{cite journal | last = Yang | first = C. C. | coauthors = W.E. Bradley | year = 1998 | month = July | title = Neuroanatomy of the penile portion of the human dorsal nerve of the penis | journal = British Journal of Urology | volume = 82 | issue = 1 | pages = 109–13 | doi =10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00669.x | pmid = 9698671 }}</ref>
Halata & Spathe (1997) reported that "the glans penis contains a predominance of free nerve endings, numerous genital [[Bulboid_corpuscles|end bulbs]] and rarely [[Pacinian_corpuscle|Pacinian]] and [[Ruffini_ending|Ruffinian]] corpuscles. [[Merkel_nerve_ending|Merkel nerve endings]] and [[Meissner's_corpuscle|Meissner's corpuscles]] are not present."<ref name="halata2"/>
Yang & Bradley argue that "The distinct pattern of innervation of the glans emphasizes the role of the glans as a sensory structure".<ref name="yang"/>
An anatomycal variant of glans is showed: [[Hirsuties papillaris genitalis]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray1158.png|Diagram of the arteries of the [[penis]].
Image:Illu_penis.jpg|Penis
Image:Penisfrenulum.jpg|The glans penis of an uncircumcised penis with the foreskin retracted.
Image:A Foreskin Retraction Series.JPG|Foreskin retraction.
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Corpus cavernosum penis]]
*[[Foreskin]]
*[[Penis]]
*[[Clitoris]]
*[[Frenulum of prepuce of penis]]
==References==
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==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|42|07|01|02}} - "The Male Perineum and the Penis: The Corpus Spongiosum and Corpora Cavernosa"
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|44|06|01|01}} - "The Male Pelvis: The Urethra"
{{Male reproductive system}}
[[Category:Male reproductive system]]
[[Category:Penis]]
[[ar:حشفة القضيب]]
[[ceb:Olok]]
[[cs:Žalud (penis)]]
[[de:Glans penis]]
[[dv:ފިރިހެން ހަށީގެ ބޯ]]
[[es:Glande]]
[[fa:ختنهگاه]]
[[fr:Gland (anatomie)]]
[[ko:귀두]]
[[la:Glans penis]]
[[lt:Varpos galvutė]]
[[hu:Makk (anatómia)]]
[[nl:Eikel (anatomie)]]
[[ja:陰茎亀頭]]
[[no:Glanspenis]]
[[pl:Żołądź (anatomia)]]
[[pt:Glande]]
[[ru:Головка полового члена]]
[[simple:Glans penis]]
[[fi:Terska]]
[[sv:Ollon (kroppsdel)]]
[[zh:龜頭]]