Glossary : Penis enlargement

A list of the male reproductive terms used throughout this guide.

A

None at present.

B

Basal penile ligament

A ligament which runs from the top of the pubic bone to the head of the penis. This is cut during penis lengthening surgery which enables the penis to drop forward and so appear larger.

Bladder

The male bladder lies behind the pelvic bone and above the prostate gland. It acts as a repository for urine which exits the bladder through the urethra.

Bulbourethral glands

These are also known as ‘Cowper’s gland’and sit beneath the prostate gland, on either side of the urethra. These tiny glands produce a clear, sticky fluid which flushes away any residual urine and lubricates the urethra for the passage of sperm.

C

None at present.

D

None at present.

E

Epididymis

These are tightly coiled tubes which lie behind the testicles. They act as a storage facility for sperm and enable them to develop to full maturity. Sperm are transported from here into the vas deferens during sexual arousal.

F

Foreskin

A loose layer of skin which covers the head of the penis (glans)

G

Glans

The cone shaped tip of the penis which contains sensitive nerve endings.

H

None at present.

I

None at present.

J

None at present.

K

None at present.

L

None at present.

M

None at present.

N

None at present.

O

None at present.

P

Penis

The male cylindrical shaped organ which is used for sexual intercourse. It consists of the root, shaft and the glans and contains millions of tiny nerve endings. The urethra opens out at the tip of the penis (glans).

The penis contains spongy tissue which fills with blood during sexual arousal thereby causing it to become erect and ready for penetration.

There are two states to the penis: flaccid and erect.

Prostate gland

A small walnut shaped gland which lies in front of the rectum and below the bladder. It adds to the ejaculatory fluid and helps to nourish the sperm on their journey through the urethra.

Q

None at present.

R

Root

The base of the penis which is attached to the abdominal wall.

S

Scrotum

A pouch like sac which contains the testicles plus various blood vessels and nerve endings. It sits behind the penis and acts as a cooling system for the testicles.

Seminal vesicles

These are two tiny sacs which sit behind the bladder that release a sugary fluid which nourishes and enables faster movement in sperm. This fluid accounts for around 30% of the ejaculatory fluid.

Shaft

Another name for the long, cylindrical shaped body of the penis.

T

Testicles

Two, round or oval shaped organs that are contained within the scrotum and secured in place by spermatic cords. These act as the main repository for male fertility in that they produce sperm as well as the male hormone testosterone.

U

Urethra

A slim tube which runs from the bladder via the prostate gland to the head of the penis and transports both urine and semen out of the body.

V

Vas deferens

The collective name is the ‘vasa deferentia’: a vas deferens is a slim tube which runs from the epididymis to the urethra. This acts as a transport system for sperm which are carried down this tube and into the urethra before ejaculation. These tubes are severed in a vasectomy operation as a means of birth control.

W

None at present.

X

None at present.

Y

None at present.

Z

None at present.