What is the foreskin?
The foreskin (prepuce) is a double layer of skin. It represents the end of the stretchable and easily movable skin that covers the shaft of the penis. On the underside of the glans, the foreskin is attached to the glans by the frenulum.
The foreskin in childhood
Until the first year of life, the foreskin can only be pulled back over the glans in about half of the boys; by the end of the second year, this is already possible in 80 percent of boys. Until the third year of life, it is still normal for the prepuce to be stuck to the glans and not be able to be pulled back. By the onset of puberty, however, the foreskin is loosened in most cases and can be pushed back.
When the penis is flaccid, the foreskin lies protectively over the glans. During an erection, the double layer of skin serves as a reserve skin fold: When the member stiffens and lengthens, the prepuce retracts over the glans.
Where is the prepuce located?
The prepuce, which normally moves easily, is located at the tip of the penis and covers the glans here.
What problems can the foreskin cause?
Attempts to retract the foreskin too early in childhood can result in minute injuries that heal with scarring.
The foreskin frenulum can also be congenitally too short (frenulum breve) and then tear during an erection.
In the event of poor personal hygiene, the bacteria contained in the smegma can cause inflammation. When the smegma hardens, concretions (balanoliths) form together with urinary salts.
A tumor of the foreskin is possible as well as a malignant melanoma (black skin cancer) in this area.
