Posthitis 3158467 122242360 2007-04-12T15:42:44Z SmackBot 433328 Date/fix the maintenance tags {{Cleanup|date=December 2006}} ==Short definition== [[Inflammation]] of the [[foreskin]] of the human [[penis]] (the prepuce). ==Word origin== The term "posthitis" (pronounced pos-THI-tis) comes from the Greek "posthe" meaning foreskin + "-itis" meaning inflammation = inflammation of the foreskin. ==Circumcision== In the uncircumcised male, posthitis and [[balanitis]] (inflammation of the glans, the rounded head of the penis) usually occur together as balanoposthitis: inflammation of both the glans and foreskin. [[Circumcision]] prevents balanoposthitis. Without a foreskin, there can of course be no posthitis and hence no balanoposthitis. ==Prevention in uncircumcised men== Hygiene, in particular cleaning the glans of the penis, is generally considered sufficient to prevent infection and inflammation of the foreskin. Full retraction of the foreskin may not be possible in boys younger than about ten years. [[Category:Penis]]