Filthy logo

Anatomy of the Penis

Can you name all the parts?

By Teela HudakPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
Like

The penis is the primary sex organ of one of the two types of reproductive organs commonly seen in humans. The penis is referred to by a number of different words, including some colorful slang. Some of the names people use for penis include, but not limited to, cock, wang, one-eyed wonder weasel, pecker, wood, tallywacker, Johnson, willy, or Mr. Giggle Daddy.

It can be seen as being composed of three major sections: the root, the body, and the glans. The root typically covers the portion of the penis that is hidden within the body of the person. The body covers the majority of the external part of the penis. Finally, the glans is the tip of the penis. Each section contains some pieces of anatomy that contribute to the overall function of the penis. So let's go over some of those individual pieces of anatomy.

The Glans

As we just mentioned, the glans is the tip or head of the penis. Here we find the opening of the urethra. It is from this opening that urine, as well as pre-cum (formally known as pre-ejaculate) and semen, come out of the penis. Many people find this to be the most sensitive area of the whole penis.

The Shaft of the Penis

The shaft of the penis is the main body of the penis. It is the part that extends from the head of the penis to where the base of the penis connects with the crotch. The shaft looks more like a tube and contains the length of the urethra inside it.

It also contains tissues known as the corpus cavernosa. These tissues consist of a fibrous protein and elastic fiber. They form empty spaces that are able to expand with blood to allow the penis to become erect. The shaft of the penis also contains a similar fibrous tissue with less empty space called the corpus spongiosum. The urethra runs through the corpus spongiosum which prevents it from becoming closed off during an erection.

The Foreskin

The foreskin is a patch of skin that covers and protects the head of the cock. During an erection, the foreskin pulls back to show the tip of the penis. Sometimes this skin is cut off the penis of children of at young age in a procedure called circumcision. This is often done for religious reasons. Historically doctors believed that it increases the health and hygiene that leads to better performance of the reproductive organ but there is little to no scientific evidence to support this.

The Frenulum

This is just under the head of the cock. Many people find it very sensitive, particularly for those who have been circumcised, although it may also be removed during circumcision.

Some people are concerned about tears or breaks in the frenulum. However, the frenulum should remain intact. If it feels overly sensitive or uncomfortable during sexual activity, checking in with a doctor is a good idea.

The Scrotum

The scrotum is normally referred to as the balls. It is the sac of skin that hangs below the shaft of the penis. It holds the testicles and keeps them at the right temperature. The scrotum tightens or relaxes to raise or drop the testicles away from the body to warm or cool them.

The scrotum can be large or small, have lots or little hair, and can vary in color. It's very common among people for the scrotum to have one side larger than the other. Many people find their scrotum sensitive and extremely responsive to any twisting or hitting. Despite this sensitivity, many people do enjoy having the scrotum gently touched during sexual activities.

The Testicles

The testicles exist inside the scrotum. They are ball-shaped and are responsible for producing sperm. They also play a role in producing and distributing testosterone throughout the body.

Each testicle is protected by a fibrous layer called the tunica. The inside of the testicle is divided into parts called lobules. Every lobule is made up of U-shaped tubes. These tubes are lined with cells, called germ cells, which are where sperm begin their journey.

Learn More About the Penis

There is even more to learn about the anatomy of the penis, this article only covers some of the basics. Learning about human anatomy and having a better understanding of how it all comes together can help us identify if something is wrong. This can be an important step in safeguarding our sexual health.

Enjoyed this article? Check out the other great articles, games, and more on my website

science
Like

About the Creator

Teela Hudak

Teela is a Vancouver-based Sex Educator & Relationship Expert. Learn more at: https://exploresextalk.com/

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.