The Purloined Prepuce
Circumcised men are not whole and complete since their foreskin was stolen from them while they were children.
Amputation of the foreskin in infancy has been described as a little slip, however if circumcised men had kept that foreskin, then in adult life it would approximate nearly
15 square inches of protective, erogenous mucosa and skin.
Hegazy et al. (2026) measured 143 foreskinned men and provided a mean area of 79.8 square centimeters, which converts to 12.36 square inches, however they did not include the skin of the
acroposthion, so the findings are not directly comparable.
Winkelmann (1956) studied the innervation of the purloined prepuce. He found a network of nerves. He also studied adults.
Winkelmann (1959) concluded that the purloined prepuce, which is absent from the penis of circumcised men, is a
specific erogenous zone.
Fleiss, Hodges, & Van Howe (1998) discussed the immunological functions of the purloined prepuce that are
not available to circumcised men. The functions include:
- The sphincter action of the preputial orifice functions like a one way valve, blocking the entry of contaminants while allowing the passage of urine.
- Ectopic sebaceous glands concentrated near the frenulum produce smegma. This natural emollient contains
prostatic and seminal secretions, desquamated epithelial cells, and the mucin content of the urethral glands of Littré.
- The inner prepuce contains apocrine glands, which secrete cathepsin B, lysozyme, chymotrypsin, neutrophil elastase, cytokine (a non-antibody protein that generates an immune response on contact with specific
antigens), and pheromones such as androsterone.
- Lysozyme, which is also found in tears, human milk, and other body fluids, destroys bacterial cell walls.
- The protective, self lubricating, mobile, double layered prepuce protects the glans and meatus from direct friction, abrasion, and trauma.
- The preputial sac contains beneficial oil and other protective substances, so soap should not be used to wash the penis.
Cold & Taylor (1999) provided a complete review of the anatomy and functions of the prepuce that is purloined from circumcised men. With regard to sexual function, they stated:
Quote:"The prepuce is primary, erogenous tissue necessary for normal sexual function. The complex interaction between the protopathic sensitivity of the corpuscular receptor-deficient glans penis and the corpuscular-receptor rich ridged band of the male prepuce is required for normal compulatory behaviour."
Redundant prepuce. Redundant prepuce is defined as having an excessive amount of prepuce, however there is no clear clinical definition of what constitutes an excessive amount of prepuce. It simply seems to be someone's opinion. Most of the medical literature regarding "
redundant prepuce" appears in Chinese medical journals.
One should note the prepuce has numerous protective, immunological, sexual, and sensory functions that work best when the penis is fully covered by the foreskin.
The longer prepuce has been favored by many men since ancient times for improved function and aesthetic appearance.
The diagnosis of "
redundant prepuce" appears to be a creation of greedy medical doctors who wish purloin another prepuce to promote the practice of circumcision for financial gain.
Men who are fortunate to have a
foreskinned penis should be very cautious of doctors who diagnose "
redundant prepuce", since the treatment is
amputation of the prepuce by circumcision.