Penis

• 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
  • Peyronie's disease -- a curve during an erection
  • Buried penis- penis is hidden by a pad of fat
  • Micropenis- penis does not develop and is small

  See also:

  • Ambiguous genitalia
  • Penile prosthesis
  • Priapism
• References

  Elder JS. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 544.

  Brooks JD. Anatomy of the lower urinary tract and male genitalia. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 2.

  Jordan GH, Schlossberg SM. Surgery of the penis and urethra. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 33.

  Elder JS. Abnormalities of the genitalia in boys and their surgical management. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 126.

Review Date: 9/22/2009

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.