All Topics  
Glans

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Glans
 
 
  Topics Glans Topic Home

The glans (Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 for "acorn
Acorn

The acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oak tree . It is a nut , containing a single seed , enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule....
") is a vascular structure located at the tip of the penis
Penis

The penis is an external sex organ of certain biologically male organisms, in both vertebrates and invertebrates.The penis is a reproductive organ, technically an intromittent organ, and for Eutheria, additionally serves as the external organ of urination....
 in men or a homologous
Homology (biology)

In evolutionary biology, homology refers to any similarity between characteristics that is due to their common descent. The word homologous derives from the ancient Greek ??????e??, 'to agree'....
 genital structure of the clitoris
Clitoris

The clitoris is a sex organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina....
 in women.

exterior structure of the glans consists of mucous membrane
Mucous membrane

The mucous membranes are linings of mostly germ layer origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organ ....
, which is usually covered by foreskin
Foreskin

In male human anatomy, the foreskin or prepuce is a retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and protects the urinary meatus when the penis is not erection....
 or clitoral hood
Clitoral hood

In female human anatomy, the clitoral hood, , is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the clitoral glans. It develops as part of the labia minora and is homology with the foreskin in male genitals....
 in naturally developed genitalia. This covering, called the prepuce, is normally retractable in adulthood.

The glans naturally joins with the inner labia, and the frenulum
Frenulum

A frenulum is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body....
 of the penis
Penis

The penis is an external sex organ of certain biologically male organisms, in both vertebrates and invertebrates.The penis is a reproductive organ, technically an intromittent organ, and for Eutheria, additionally serves as the external organ of urination....
 or clitoris
Clitoris

The clitoris is a sex organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina....
.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Glans'
Start a new discussion about 'Glans'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


The glans (Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 for "acorn
Acorn

The acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oak tree . It is a nut , containing a single seed , enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule....
") is a vascular structure located at the tip of the penis
Penis

The penis is an external sex organ of certain biologically male organisms, in both vertebrates and invertebrates.The penis is a reproductive organ, technically an intromittent organ, and for Eutheria, additionally serves as the external organ of urination....
 in men or a homologous
Homology (biology)

In evolutionary biology, homology refers to any similarity between characteristics that is due to their common descent. The word homologous derives from the ancient Greek ??????e??, 'to agree'....
 genital structure of the clitoris
Clitoris

The clitoris is a sex organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina....
 in women.

Structure

The exterior structure of the glans consists of mucous membrane
Mucous membrane

The mucous membranes are linings of mostly germ layer origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organ ....
, which is usually covered by foreskin
Foreskin

In male human anatomy, the foreskin or prepuce is a retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and protects the urinary meatus when the penis is not erection....
 or clitoral hood
Clitoral hood

In female human anatomy, the clitoral hood, , is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the clitoral glans. It develops as part of the labia minora and is homology with the foreskin in male genitals....
 in naturally developed genitalia. This covering, called the prepuce, is normally retractable in adulthood.

The glans naturally joins with the inner labia, and the frenulum
Frenulum

A frenulum is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body....
 of the penis
Penis

The penis is an external sex organ of certain biologically male organisms, in both vertebrates and invertebrates.The penis is a reproductive organ, technically an intromittent organ, and for Eutheria, additionally serves as the external organ of urination....
 or clitoris
Clitoris

The clitoris is a sex organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina....
. In non-technical or sexual discussions, often the word "clitoris" refers to the external glans alone, excluding the clitoral hood
Clitoral hood

In female human anatomy, the clitoral hood, , is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the clitoral glans. It develops as part of the labia minora and is homology with the foreskin in male genitals....
, frenulum
Frenulum

A frenulum is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body....
, and internal body of the clitoris.

Gender differences

In males the glans is known as the glans penis
Glans penis

The glans penis is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. It is also commonly referred to as the "head" of the penis. Slang terms include "helmet", "nob" , and "bell end", and all refer to its distinctive shape....
, while in females the glans is known as the clitoral glans
Clitoral glans

The clitoral glans is an external portion of the clitoris....
.

In females, the clitoris is above the urethra. This organ was once thought to serve no function other than sexual arousal, but research is beginning to prove otherwise. The glans of the clitoris is the most highly innervated part of the external female genitalia.

Development

In the development of the urinary and reproductive organs
Development of the urinary and reproductive organs

The development of the urinary and reproductive organs as a part of the prenatal development, concerns the urinary system and sex organs. The latter is a part of the stages of sexual differentiation....
, the glans is derived from the genital tubercle
Genital tubercle

A genital tubercle is a body of tissue present in the development of the urinary and reproductive organs. It forms in the ventral, caudal region of mammalian embryos of both sexes, and eventually develops into a Phallus ....
.