Penis Anatomy Basics: Basic Health Facts that All Men Should Know

The average sex education class, in which men are introduced to penis anatomy for the very first time, typically takes place during an awkward time in a boy's life. Often, he's much too young to have experienced the benefits of a healthy penis, and even talking about intimate tissues might make him giggle, blush or just shut down altogether. As a result, it's not uncommon for men to know very little about how their bodies work and what might be done to keep their most intimate parts functioning at peak capacity. This information can fill in the blanks for guys who tuned out during health class, as it outlines major structures and penis care techniques that can keep things running smoothly.

1. All about the Flow. The penis is often described as a tube, and in many ways, that's an accurate description. After all, the penis is designed to transmit all sorts of fluids outside of a man's body in a quick and efficient way. However, the penis is also lined with hollow spaces known as the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum. These spaces are vital to a healthy erection, as they can accept the blood that streams to the area during an erection. When they're filled with blood, the area stiffens and rises from the body. When they're empty, the penis is flaccid.

1. Vital Chemicals. Blood doesn't enter the groin through mere suggestion and willpower. Instead, it's summoned there by an intricate network of nerve cells, linking with chemicals released by the brain. When a man senses a sexual signal, his brain releases the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. This chemical triggers a series of further chemical reactions in the penis, relaxing muscles and opening blood vessels so that blood can flow into areas that are normally closed off and empty. These reactions are completely involuntary, meaning that there's no higher thought involved, and they can work within the blink of an eye. As soon as a man senses sex is coming, the process is set in motion and his body gets prepared.

1. A Delicate Wrapper. All of this blood flow is encased in a wrapper of intensely sensitive skin. This skin isn't remarkably different than the skin that encases the rest of a man's body, but it's typically hairless and is normally protected within a man's clothing for the vast majority of the day. As a result, the skin is likely to be smooth and responsive. It might also be slightly darker than the skin on the rest of a man's body, simply because it has access to more blood.

The entire length of the penis is designed to be responsive to both touch and pressure, but there are some portions of this organ that are remarkably sensitive, including:

• The tip of the penis, known as the glans
• The band of tissue that encircles the glans, known as the corona
• The tissue that encircles the penis, known as the foreskin
• The tiny band of skin that connects the foreskin to the shaft of the penis, known as the frenulum

1. Staying in Shape. Penis sensitivity levels can be impacted by haphazard handling techniques. Men who use too much force when interacting with their equipment can lay down scar tissue that can impede sensations of touch. Similarly, rough clothing can cause wee scratches and scrapes that can erode a man's ability to feel almost anything. Using care in handling, and ensuring that penile tissues remain hydrated and moist can be key to keeping everything firing properly.

Penis difficulties can also arise through poor nutrition and supplementation. All of the reactions that can allow an erection to take place require specific vitamins and nutrients, and they might be in short supply in men who eat on the go and who build their diets around fast food and soft drinks. For men like this, a penis health creme might be vital. These products (most experts recommend Man1 Man Oil) can fill in the gaps in a man's diet, providing his penis with the nutrients it needs in order to do its job properly.