CIRCLIST Illustrated anatomy (male)

Illustrated Penile Anatomy

1. The difference brought about by regular retraction

The illustration to the right shows an uncircumcised penis with a tight foreskin; it has not been regularly retracted. Typically, this is the appearance of an uncircumcised boy pre-puberty. The inner foreskin may still be adhered to the glans; in some cases natural separation may still not have taken place at age 9 or even 10 years.

1. Outer surface of the Outer Foreskin.
2. Foreskin opening.

Contrast with this an uncircumcised penis which has a loose foreskin in consequence of regular retraction.

1. Outer surface of the Outer Foreskin.
2. Meatus.
3. Glans.
4. Frenulum.
5. Outer surface of the Inner Foreskin.
6. Ridged Frenar Band and Mucocutaneous Junction.

2. Resolving the biggest doubt about penile anatomy

The most common misperception about the foreskin is that it is composed of one layer, whereas in fact it has two. It really is the case that the inner foreskin and the outer foreskin are separate structures, mobile with respect to each other. In this photograph we see a probe being inserted between the two layers, done part-way through a SmartKlamp circumcision not as part of the procedure but just to illustrate this anatomical detail.

3. The adult penis prior to circumcision

Shown to the right are three views labelling the various parts of the foreskin and shaft skin. Note especially in the right-most drawing that the inner foreskin (in green) and the outer foreskin (in turquoise) are separate structures, mobile with respect to each other. They are not the opposite sides of the same single layer of tissue.

The Frenulum may be retained or removed during circumcision. In the illustration to the left, the foreskin has been pulled back and the Frenulum is highlighted in yellow. Likewise, the amount of inner and outer foreskin that is retained or removed is up to you and your physician.

Overhanging foreskin (illustrated to the right) is sometimes referred to as a "Redundant Prepuce" and if cumbersome is a valid medical reason for circumcision.

Note again the totally separate layers of the inner and outer foreskin. Comprehension of this is vital to a proper understanding of the circumcision process; it is one of the least well understood aspects of penile anatomy.

4. The circumcised adult penis

Here, to the right, we see the flaccid penis of a very loosely circumcised adult. Note the flaring of the corona. But for this flaring, the image might at a glance be mistaken for an uncircumcised man with his foreskin retracted.

Compare this with a more tightly circumcised adult, shown here with an erection.

To get an impression of how much inner foreskin was removed, imagine what’s left of it (the part of the shaft between the scar line and the corona) folded forwards over the glans. It does not reach as far as the original foreskin would have done.

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The illustration to the right shows an uncircumcised penis with a tight foreskin; it has not been regularly retracted. Typically, this is the appearance of an uncircumcised boy pre-puberty. The inner foreskin may still be adhered to the glans; in some cases natural separation may still not have taken place at age 9 or even 10 years. 1. Outer surface of the Outer Foreskin. 2. Foreskin opening.
Contrast with this an uncircumcised penis which has a loose foreskin in consequence of regular retraction. 1. Outer surface of the Outer Foreskin. 2. Meatus. 3. Glans. 4. Frenulum. 5. Outer surface of the Inner Foreskin. 6. Ridged Frenar Band and Mucocutaneous Junction.

Shown to the right are three views labelling the various parts of the foreskin and shaft skin. Note especially in the right-most drawing that the inner foreskin (in green) and the outer foreskin (in turquoise) are separate structures, mobile with respect to each other. They are not the opposite sides of the same single layer of tissue.
	The Frenulum may be retained or removed during circumcision. In the illustration to the left, the foreskin has been pulled back and the Frenulum is highlighted in yellow. Likewise, the amount of inner and outer foreskin that is retained or removed is up to you and your physician.
Overhanging foreskin (illustrated to the right) is sometimes referred to as a "Redundant Prepuce" and if cumbersome is a valid medical reason for circumcision. Note again the totally separate layers of the inner and outer foreskin. Comprehension of this is vital to a proper understanding of the circumcision process; it is one of the least well understood aspects of penile anatomy.

Here, to the right, we see the flaccid penis of a very loosely circumcised adult. Note the flaring of the corona. But for this flaring, the image might at a glance be mistaken for an uncircumcised man with his foreskin retracted.
	Compare this with a more tightly circumcised adult, shown here with an erection. To get an impression of how much inner foreskin was removed, imagine what’s left of it (the part of the shaft between the scar line and the corona) folded forwards over the glans. It does not reach as far as the original foreskin would have done.