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Glossary list with short definitions

To find a specific Glossary item, enter one or more words in the search box below.

  • Frenectomy

    The surgical removal of the frenulum.

  • Frenular Delta

    A triangular area of mucosa on the ventral side of the penis with the frenulum at the apex, the ridged band along the sides, and whose base is the junction between the inner and outer foreskin (the transition zone).

  • Frenular Triangle
  • Frenuloplasty

    Reshaping-surgery of the frenulum, especially as a treatment for frenulum breve.

  • Frenulum

    The frenulum is a highly erogenous, V-shaped structure on the underside of the glans that connects the glans to the ventral inner foreskin.

  • Frenulum Breve

    A congenital condition of having a short frenulum, which, in severe cases, causes the glans to point downward when the foreskin is retracted with an erection.

  • FS - Foreskin
  • Glans

    The glans penis (or simply glans) is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. It is also commonly referred to as the "head" of the penis.

  • Gliding Action

    A term used to describe the smooth and gentle movement between the mucosal surfaces of the two partners during intercourse.

  • Gomco Clamp

    A circumcision device consisting of a metal bell placed over the glans (requiring a dorsal slit in the foreskin first) and a flat plate with a hole in it placed over both, to define the position of the cut. They are brought together by a screw to apply circular crushing and fusing force at the position of excision.

  • Grower

    A naturally small flaccid penis, that dramatically increases in girth and length when erect. The opposite of a Shower.

  • Hairy Shaft

    A complication of circumcision where the lack of adequate shaft skin causes hairy pubic and scrotal skin to be drawn onto the erect penile shaft (also called Hirsute Penis). 

  • Hemostat

    Hemostats are the lockable, scissors-like clamp used in some surgeries such as many types of circumcision.

  • High cut

    A circumcision is called "high" when more shaft skin and less mucosa tissue is removed.

  • Hirsute Penis
  • Hypertrophic

    Related to scar tissue that has thickened, excessively.

  • Hypospadias

    Hypospadias refers to the abnormal location of the urinary opening.  It can be either congenital, or the result of a surgical (Iatrogenic) mistake during circumcision (see photo below). 

  • Iatrogenic

    A condition of ill health or adverse effect caused by medical treatment, usually due to mistakes made in treatment. The word literally means "caused by a doctor", though such conditions can also be the fault of a therapist or pharmacist.

  • Infibulation

    A procedure where a closed wire loop is passed through holes made in the foreskin, making an erection painful in an attempt to prevent masturbation.

  • Inner Foreskin

    Inner foreskin is mucosal tissue that extends from the glans to the ridged band in an intact penis or to the circumcision scar in a circumcised penis.