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Male Genitalia 101

The Basics of Male Genitalia

By , About.com Guide

Updated October 01, 2011

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Male Genitalia 101

Despite many similarities the diversity in male genitalia is vast. Men’s genitals, inside and out, can look and function very differently from one man to the next, and in the same man over time. And since gender and sex are two different things, there are folks who identify as women but have what the world of medicine would label as male genitals. So the good news is that there's a lot more beauty and variation out there than porn or Hollywood would have us believe.

Below you’ll find a description of male genitalia, with links to more information on how the different parts of male genitalia work, what they look like, and what impact they have on male sexuality.

The best way to learn about your body is to tour your own sexual anatomy at a time and place where you have plenty of privacy. Most people think that because "it’s all hanging out there" guys know everything about their bodies. But men are usually only encouraged to look at themselves in a competitive and functional way. They take what they get and don’t bother to look for possible points of pleasure unless they are immediately apparent.

The Penis

The penis is made up of spongy erectile tissue, which fills with blood when a man is turned on or aroused and usually becomes erect. Penises come in all sizes, and penis size in almost all cases has nothing to do with how a penis works or how well a penis works. There are several different parts to the penis, each of which has some impact on feeling sexual arousal and pleasure. Learn more about penis anatomy.

Scrotum and Testicles

The scrotum is the loose pouch of skin containing the testicles (or “balls”). The primary function of the scrotum is to protect the testicles, which are very sensitive to pain, and which also need to keep an even body temperature to function properly. The testicles serve two main functions: producing sperm and producing testosterone. Learn more about the scrotum and testicles.

Prostate Gland

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and is responsible for producing some of the fluid that comes out in male ejaculate. It can be felt either by inserting a finger in your anus or more indirectly by massaging the perineum. Learn more about the prostate gland.

Perineum

The male perineum is the area between the scrotum and the anus. During sexual arousal the perineum can become sensitive, and can be another site of sexual stimulation and pleasure. Massaging the perineum can also provide indirect prostate stimulation and stimulation of the root of the penis, both of which are above the perineum inside the body. Learn more about the perineum.

PC Muscle

The pubic bone is surrounded by a sling of muscles called the pubococcygeus muscles (or PC muscle for short). These muscles play a vital part in your sexual health, and control of them can help men learn ejaculatory control. Once a man locates the pc muscles , he can do special exercises, called kegels can be done my men to strengthen and control their PC muscles.

Anus

Not usually thought of as a part of ones sexual anatomy (because it has no role in reproduction) the anus can be a site of great sexual pleasure and many people enjoy anal play as part of their sexual repertoire. Learn more about the anus.

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