Bruno Pinheiro Falcão1*, Marcelo Marcondes Stegani2, Jorge Eduardo Fouto Matias2
As described by Taylor et al,9 the inner layer of the
foreskin is divided into 2 regions, “corrugated” and “smooth”
(Figure 2). The first is a transversely corrugated mucosal
zone with 10-15 mm in the prepuce which is not retracted.
The “wavy” area is usually flat against the glans, and when
retracted, it is always present in the body of the penis. The rest
of the preputial tissue between the “wavy” area and the glans
is smooth and relaxed. The “wavy” zone presents a marked
increase in vascularization and the markings are deeper in
younger individuals.
The inner surface of the foreskin is covered by a keratinized
squamous epithelium similar to that of the esophagus, with
the presence of nerves, Schwann cells, lymphoid and capillary
cells. The preputial mucosa does not have hair follicles, lanugo,
sebaceous glands, or sweat glands. The presence of myelinated
nerve fibers inside the papillae confirms the extremely
sensitive nature of the “wavy” region of the foreskin.9
It is classically postulated that the foreskin protects the glans,
although it is equally likely that the glans forms and protects
the foreskin. This exchange guarantees great sensitivity to the
glans and penile body.