Men's Health > Penis Health > Your Penis

Definition
The penis is the male organ used for urination and sexual intercourse and is located above the scrotum. It is made of spongy tissue and blood vessels.

The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.

Anatomy
The shaft of the penis is connected to the pubic bone and is made up of three separate cylinders; two paired cylinders called the corpora cavernosa which make up the majority of the bulk and the erectile functioning of the penis.

Both these cylinders actually communicate with each other for approximately three-quarters of their length through small holes between the cylinders and they surround the urethra which is the channel for the flow of urine and ejaculate.

The foreskin covers the head (glans) of the penis.

During puberty, the penis lengthens and the ability to ejaculate begins at around 12 to 14 years of age. Ejaculation is the release of sperm-containing fluid from the penis during an orgasm.

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