|
|
|
|
THE PENIS
The penis is an external organ that consists primarily of three parallel cylinders of spongy tissue bound in thick membrane sheaths. The cylindrical body on the underside of the penis is called the spongy body (corpus spongiosum). The urethra (a tube that carries urine or semen) runs through the middle of the spongy body and exits at the tip of the penis via the urinary opening {urethral meatus). When the penis is erect, the spongy body on the underside looks and feels like a straight ridge. The other two cylinders, called the cavernous bodies (corpora cavernosa), are positioned side-by-side above the spongy body. All three consist of irregular spongelike tissue dotted with small blood vessels. The tissue swells with blood during sexual arousal, causing the penis to become erect.
Internally, beyond the point where the penis attaches to the body, the cavernous bodies branch apart to form tips (crura) that are firmly attached to the pelvic bones. The penis has numerous blood vessels, both inside and apart from the cylindrical bodies; a pattern of veins is often visible on the outer skin of the erect penis. The penis also has many nerves, making it highly sensitive to touch, pressure, and temperature.
The tip of the penis, the glans or head, consists entirely of corpus spongiosum. This region has a higher concentration of sensory nerve endings than the shaft of the penis and is thus particularly sensitive to physical stimulation. Two other areas particularly sensitive to touch are the rim of tissue that separates the glans from the shaft of the penis (the coronal ridge) and the small triangular region on the underside of the penis where a thin strip of skin (the frenulum) attaches to the glans. Many males find that direct stimulation of the glans may become painful or irritating and prefer to masturbate by rubbing or stroking the penile shaft.
The skin that covers the penis is freely movable and forms the foreskin, or prepuce, at the glans. Inflammation or infection of the foreskin or glans may cause pain during sexual activity. Sometimes the foreskin sticks to the underlying glans when smegma, a naturally occurring substance of cheesy consistency made up of oily secretions, dead skin cells, dirt particles, sweat, and bacteria, is not regularly washed away from underneath the foreskin. This type of problem occurs only in uncircumcised men and is one argument in favor of routine circumcision.
*25\342\2*
Men's Health Erectyle Dysfunction
|
|
Pharmacy Information
BIRTH CONTROL: LEGAL ASPECTS OF STERILIZATION
Sterilization for eugenic reasons is sanctioned in some states, particularly in tax-supported institutions. A doctor is free to perform sterilizing operations in these instances without concern for any legal consequences. If, however, the operation is done purely for reasons of health, the doctor's position is less safe, because he is not so well protected by state laws in these instances.
There are no uniform laws among the various states regarding sterilization. In California, malpractice suits against doctors resulting from surgery for sterilization are not usually covered by insurance companies. One study revealed269 that 87% of the physicians sampled who had performed vasectomies had never had suit brought against them because of this surgery, 8% had faced legal action, and 5% did not reply. Written consent by the patient affords the physician some measure of safety, but is no guarantee against a subsequent suit or even prosecution in a court of criminal law. Even eugenic sterilization is prohibited in four statesConnecticut, Kansas, Utah, and Montana.
Sterilization in Japan, though legal, is usually performed only upon women. In India, sterilization is limited to men, who are monetarily compensated for the time lost from work following the surgery.
As may be inferred from the foregoing, sterilization procedures are frequently preceded or followed by psychological repercussions that have their roots in anxiety: will there be a reduction of sexual desire; will masculinity or femininity be diminished? These fears can usually be assuaged by the reassurance of the surgeon through his careful explanation of all the ramifications of the operation. If emotional stress should persist, however, psychotherapy will often restore stability.
*24\300\2*
Men's Health Erectile Dysfunction
|
