The penis is the male organ used for urination and sexual intercourse. The penis is located above the scrotum . It is made of spongy tissue and blood vessels.
The shaft of the penis surrounds the urethra and is connected to the pubic bone.
The foreskin covers the head (glans) of the penis. The foreskin is removed if the boy is circumcised.
Information:
During puberty, the penis lengthens. The ability to ejaculate begins around 12 to 14 years of age. Ejaculation is the release of sperm-containing fluid from the penis during an orgasm.
Conditions of the penis include:
Chordee -- downward curve of the penis
Epispadias -- urethra opening is on the top or side of the penis, rather than the tip
Hypospadias -- urethra opening is on the underside of the penis, rather than at the tip
Palmatus or webbed penis -- penis is enclosed by the scrotum
Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.
Wein AJ. Campbell - Walsh Urology. 9th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007.
Review Date: 5/22/2008 Reviewed By: Scott M. Gilbert, MD, Department of Urology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
