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Smegma (Greek smēgma, "soap") is a combination of exfoliated (shed) epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture. It occurs in both female and male mammalian genitalia.
Both sexes can produce smegma. In males, smegma is produced and can collect under the foreskin; in females, it collects around the clitoris and in the folds of the labia minora.
In Males
Smegma can accumulate on a penis.
In males, smegma helps keep the glans moist and facilitates sexual intercourse by acting as a lubricant.
Smegma was originally thought to be produced by sebaceous glands near the frenulum called Tyson's glands; however, subsequent studies have failed to find these glands. Wright states that smegma is produced from minute microscopic protrusions of the mucosal surface of the foreskin and that living cells constantly grow towards the surface, undergo fatty degeneration, separate off, and form smegma.[4] Parkash et al. found that smegma contains 26.6% fats and 13.3% proteins, which they judged to be consistent with necrotic epithelial debris. Newly produced smegma has a smooth, moist texture. It is thought to be rich in squalene and contain prostatic and seminal secretions, desquamated epithelial cells, and the mucin content of the urethral glands of Littré. Some state that it contains anti-bacterial enzymes such as lysozyme and hormones such as androsterone,[5][6] though others dispute this.
According to Wright, little smegma is produced during childhood, although the foreskin may contain sebaceous glands. She also says that production of smegma increases from adolescence until sexual maturity when the function of smegma for lubrication assumes its full value, and from middle-age production starts to decline and in old age virtually no smegma is produced. Oster reported that the incidence of smegma increased from 1% among 6-7 year olds to 8% among 16-17 year olds (an overall incidence of 5%).
In Females
The accumulation of sebum combined with dead skin cells forms smegma. Smegma clitoridis is defined as the secretion of the apocrine glands of the clitoris, in combination with desquamating epithelial cells. Glands that are located around the clitoris and the vulva majoris secrete sebum.
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What does the word foreskin mean?
The foreskin is a fold of skin that covers the head (glans) of the penis.
What is a long foreskin?
By examination of the word 'long' one would assume the question is referring to a foreskin greater than average. Average foreskin covers the glans of the penis completely when soft. When erect average foreskin typically slides back and exposes some if not all of the glans. If a man has 'long' foreskin, by description alone it suggests that the foreskin is of a greater/longer amount than average. Some men with longer foreskins can have an erection with no exposure of the glans. In other cases the foreskin can be long enough to cover the glans during erection with excess at the tip. Typically the position of the foreskin is dependant upon the elasticity and size of the frenum, which attatches the foreskin to the underside of the glans. The more flexible and abundant the frenum is, the more likely the foreskin is able to slide up and down.
How are karyotypes contructed?
A cell karyotype is produced by looking at chromosomes through a light microscope. A karyotype is produced by factoring in the length of individual chromosomes under the microscope, as well as their banding pattern, position of centromeres, and other physical characteristics.
Where would one find the frenulum?
If it is doing what it is supposed to do. which is cause the foreskin to move back over the glans of the penis when it is flaccid. it is easily distinguishable when puling the foreskin right back as a separate chord like entity that reaches from the glans to the foreskin for about 15mm until it seems to blend back into the foreskin. so it is not actually tight at all it only becomes tight when the foreskin is pulled back. the tightens of the frenulum may well be associated with the tightness of the foreskin round the penis itself. loosen the foreskin and you loosen the frenulum.
Does the foreskin cover the glans?
Yes. The foreskin or prepuce covers the glans penis. or at least is usualy does when the penis is flacid, sometimes they may be short showing more or less of the glans at all times.
What is a smegma?
A white cheese-like substance which collects in the coronal sulcus and under the foreskin of the uncircumcised. It is composed of excess lubricant from the Tyson's Glands, sweat, stale urine, dead skin cells and collected debris. See link
Can sperm survive under the foreskin for 6-7 hours?
No
Sweet fluid produced by plants and collected by bees?
nectar
How is phimosis diagnosed?
A physician usually diagnoses phimosis when there are persistent problems urinating, when there are recurrent infections under the foreskin, or when the opening to the penis is completely blocked by the foreskin.
How is nuclear energy collected and produced?
automatically without you even knowing
Why is a hissing sound sometimes produced when men urinate?
Pretty sure it's caused by the foreskin or the shape of the urethra.
How is SO2 produced and how does it make rainwater acidic?
S02 is produced by mold. It makes the rain water acidic because when it rains the dirt and pollution in the air are collected and when it floods the pollution an the ground is collected in the water.
What does smegmated mean?
A sebaceous secretion in the folds of the skin, esp. under a man's foreskin.
Why is ammonia not collected over water?
Because ammonia is quite soluble in water, so that not all of the gas produced could be collected over water.
How is rosemary produced?
Rosemary is a shrub. The herb can be collected from wild rosemary or farmed rosemary.
How is solar energy collected and produced?
Specially designed panels convert photons into electrons.
Is phimosis an STD?
Phimosis is not a disease, STD or otherwise, it is a condition where the foreskin is constricted over the foreskin. Normally the foreskin in an uncircumcised is able to be pulled back to completely uncover the glans. If this proves to be impossible then one can end up with infections as it is not possible for the area under it to be cleaned and dry. The treatment for this is to cut the foreskin and release it. A foreskin can not be left in this condition because there wil be a constant risk of infection and it Will also ruin the pleasure in sex.
