Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 371, Issue 2, 23 April 1986, Pages 205-230
Brain Research

The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(86)90357-4Get rights and content

The human glans penis is covered by stratified squamous epithelium and a dense layer of connective tissue equivalent to the dermis of typical skin. Rete ridges of the epidermis are irregular and vary in height depending on location, age, and presence or absence of a foreskin. The papillary layer of the dermis blends into and is continuous with the dense connective tissue forming the tunica albuginea of the corpus spongiosum of the glans penis. The most numerous nerve terminals are free nerve endings (FNEs) present in almost every dermal papilla, as well as scattered throughout the deeper dermis. FNEs are characterized by an incomplete Schwann cell investment, and contain irregularly scattered neurofilaments and neurotubules, clusters of mitochondria, vesicles of variable size and various inclusions. The ratio of FNEs to corpuscular receptors is approximately 10:1 and a similar ratio of small to large axons is seen in dermal nerves. Genital end bulbs are present throughout the glans, but are most numerous in the corona and near the frenulum. The unique corpuscular receptor of the glans penis consists of axon terminals that at an ultrastructural level resemble a tangled skein of FNEs. Simple, Pacinian and Ruffini corpuscles were occasionally identified predominantly in the corona glandis. Epidermal Merkel nerve endings and other types of mechanoreceptors typically found in primate glabrous skin (lip or digit) are not present. Rarely, dermal Merkel cells have been identified associated with genital end bulbs. The abundance of FNEs in isolated as well as corpuscular form can be correlated with the embryogenesis and known neurophysiologic and psychophysical parameters of sensory function of the glans penis. Finally, the divergence in reported values for the threshold of tactile and painful stimuli when applied to glabrous skin of fingertip and glans penis can be considered as an example of dissociated sensibility. The anatomical basis for this dissociation is the abundance of FNEs and absence of Merkel terminals and typical Meissner corpuscles in the covering of the glans, and the converse in glabrous skin of the digit.

References (88)

  • PatriziG. et al.

    The cytology of encapsulated nerve endings in the rat penis

    J. Ultrast. Res.

    (1965)
  • SachsB.D. et al.

    Spinal pacemaker controlling sexual reflexes in male rats

    Brain Research

    (1979)
  • BoekeJ.

    Innervations Studien: VIII. Zur Innervation der Cornea bei Säugern. Die Innervierung des Bindegewebes der Cornea bei Macacus rhesus

    Z. Mikrosk.-Anat. Forsch.

    (1935)
  • BoltonC.F. et al.

    A quantitative study of Meissner's corpuscles in man

    Neurology

    (1966)
  • BoringE.G.

    Cutaneous sensation after nerve division

    Quart. J. Exp. Physiol.

    (1916)
  • BurgessP.R. et al.

    Cutaneous mechanoreceptors and nociceptors

  • CaunaN. et al.

    The fine structure of Meissner's touch corpuscles of human fingers

    J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol.

    (1960)
  • ChambersM.R. et al.

    Structure and function of the slowly adapting type II mechanoreceptor in hairy skin

    Quart. J. Exp. Physiol.

    (1972)
  • CottrellD.F. et al.

    Electrophysiology of the afferent innervation of the penis of the domestic ram

    J. Physiol. (London)

    (1978)
  • DellonA.L.

    Evaluation of Sensibility and Re-education of Sensation in the Hand

    (1981)
  • DogielA.S.

    Die Nervenendigungen in der Haut der äusseren Genitalorgane des Menschen

    Arch. Mikr.-Anat. Forsch.

    (1983)
  • EdwardsA.E. et al.

    Penile sensitivity, age and sexual behavior

    J. Clin. Psychol.

    (1976)
  • FleischmannA.

    Die Stilcharaktere am Urodaeum und Phallus

    Morph. Jahrb.

    (1907)
  • Freyvon M.

    Beiträge zur Physiologie des Schmerzsinns

    Erste Mitt, Akad. Wiss. Leipzig, Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. Ber.

    (1894)
  • Freyvon M.

    Beiträge zur Physiologie des Schmerzsinns

    Zweite Mitt, Akad. Wiss. Leipzig Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. Ber.

    (1984)
  • GairdnerD.

    The fate of the foreskin: a study of circumcision

    Br. Med. J.

    (1949)
  • HalataZ.

    Die Ultrastruktur der Lamellenkörperchen bei Wasservögeln (Herbstsche Endigungen)

    Acta Anat.

    (1971)
  • HalataZ.

    Innervation der unbehaarten Nasenhaut des Maulwurfs (Talpa Europaea). II. Innervation der Dermis (einfache eingekapselte Körperchen

    Z. Zellforsch.

    (1972)
  • HalataZ.

    The mechanoreceptors of the mammalian skin. Ultrastructure and morphological classification

    Adv. Anat.

    (1975)
  • HalataZ.

    The ultrastructure of the sensory nerve endings in the articular capsule of the knee joint of the domestic cat (Ruffini corpuscles and Pacinian corpuscles)

    J. Anat.

    (1977)
  • HalataZ. et al.

    Sensory nerve endings in rhesus monkey sinus hairs

    J. Comp. Neurol.

    (1980)
  • HalataZ. et al.

    The sensory innervation of primate eyelid

    Anat. Rec.

    (1980)
  • HalataZ. et al.

    The ultrastructure of Ruffini and Herbst corpuscles in the articular capsule of domestic pigeon

    Anat. Rec.

    (1980)
  • HalataZ. et al.

    Identification of the Ruffini corpuscle in human hairy skin

    Cell Tissue Res.

    (1981)
  • HalataZ. et al.

    Innervation of the human eyelid

    Acta Anat.

    (1981)
  • HartD.B.

    On the role of the developing epidermis in forming sheaths and lumina to organs, illustrated specifically in the development of the prepuce and urethra

    J. Anat.

    (1908)
  • HeadH.

    Studies in Neurology

    (1920)
  • HershkowitzM.

    Penile frostbite, an unforeseen hazard of jogging

    N. Engl. J. Med.

    (1977)
  • IggoA.

    Cutaneous receptors

  • IggoA. et al.

    The structure and function of a slowly adapting touch capsule in hairy skin

    J. Physiol. (London)

    (1969)
  • ItoS. et al.

    The fine structure of the gastric mucosa in the bat

    J. Cell Biol.

    (1963)
  • JohnsonR.D. et al.

    Electrophysiological responses of penile mechanoreceptors

  • JonesF.W.

    The development and malformations of the glans and prepuce

    Br. Med. J.

    (1910)
  • KadanoffD. et al.

    Morphologie der Rezeptoren des Atmungs- und Verdauungssystems beim Menschen

    (1963)
  • Cited by (186)

    • The impact of erectile dysfunction on infertility and its treatment

      2021, Psychological and Medical Perspectives on Fertility Care and Sexual Health
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text