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penis
(peŽnis)
the external male organ of urination and copulation, consisting of the body and the head or glans. The body of the penis consists of three cylindrical-shaped masses of erectile tissue that run its entire length. Two of the masses lie alongside
each other and end behind the glans; the third mass lies underneath them and contains the urethra. The penis terminates in an oval or cone-shaped body, the glans penis, which contains the urinary meatus, the exterior opening of the urethra. The glans is covered by a loose skin, the foreskin or prepuce, which enables it to expand freely during erection. The skin ends just behind the glans and folds forward to cover it. The inner surface of the foreskin contains glands that secrete a lubricating fluid called smegma, which makes it easy for the penis to expand and retract past the foreskin.
Penis. (A), Median sagittal section; (B), transverse section.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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