Glans
Encyclopedia
The glans is a vascular
structure located at the tip of the penis
in men or a homologous
genital structure of the clitoris
in women.
, which is usually covered by foreskin
or clitoral hood
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
of the penis
or clitoris
. In non-technical or sexual discussions, often the word "clitoris" refers to the external glans alone, excluding the clitoral hood
, frenulum
, and internal body of the clitoris.
, while in females the glans is known as the clitoral glans
.
In females, the clitoris is above the urethra. The glans of the clitoris is the most highly innervated part of the external female genitalia.
, the glans is derived from the genital tubercle
.
Vascular
Vascular in zoology and medicine means "related to blood vessels", which are part of the circulatory system. An organ or tissue that is vascularized is heavily endowed with blood vessels and thus richly supplied with blood....
structure located at the tip of the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
in men or a homologous
Homology (biology)
Homology forms the basis of organization for comparative biology. In 1843, Richard Owen defined homology as "the same organ in different animals under every variety of form and function". Organs as different as a bat's wing, a seal's flipper, a cat's paw and a human hand have a common underlying...
genital structure of the clitoris
Clitoris
The clitoris is a sexual 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. Unlike the penis, which is homologous to the clitoris, the clitoris does not...
in women.
Structure
The exterior structure of the glans consists of mucous membraneMucous membrane
The mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs...
, which is usually covered by foreskin
Foreskin
In male human anatomy, the foreskin is a generally retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and protects the urinary meatus when the penis is not erect...
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 homologous with the foreskin in male genitals.-Variation:This is a protective hood of skin that covers the clitoral glans...
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.-In human anatomy:...
of the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
or clitoris
Clitoris
The clitoris is a sexual 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. Unlike the penis, which is homologous to the clitoris, the clitoris does not...
. 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 homologous with the foreskin in male genitals.-Variation:This is a protective hood of skin that covers the clitoral glans...
, frenulum
Frenulum
A frenulum is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body.-In human anatomy:...
, and internal body of the clitoris.
Gender differences
In males, the glans is known as the glans penisGlans penis
The glans penis is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. The glans penis is anatomically homologous to the clitoral glans of the female...
, while in females the glans is known as the clitoral glans
Clitoral glans
The clitoral glans is an external portion of the clitoris.- Anatomy :It is covered by the clitoral hood, which is also external and attached to the labia minora...
.
In females, the clitoris is above the urethra. 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 organsDevelopment 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 phallic tubercle or 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...
.