Ridged band
Encyclopedia
The term ridged band is a description of an area/band of wrinkly skin toward the end of the foreskin. The term ridged is used to describe the area instead of the more commonly used term "wrinkled". More particularly it refers to the "transitional area from the external to the internal surface of
the prepuce
," or foreskin. John R. Taylor, a Canadian pathologist
and medical researcher
, first used the term "ridged band" instead of "wrinkly skin" and described the ridged band at the Second International Symposium on Circumcision, organized by NOCIRC (an organisation opposing infant circumcision) in San Francisco, 1991, after examining the foreskins of 22 adults obtained at autopsy. The mean age was 37 years, range 22-58. The prepuces were studied grossly and histologically.
The term "ridged band" was subsequently used by Taylor in an anatomical and histological study of the foreskin published in the British Journal of Urology in 1996. Most or all of the ridged band is removed by male circumcision.
", stated that it "contains more Meissner's corpuscles than does the smooth mucosa", and noted that these corpuscles were found only in the crests of ridges.
Taylor theorizes that the main function of the ridged band is to trigger sexual reflexes. In a letter to the editor of BJU International, 2007, Taylor writes:
In the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2007, Taylor states:
A.M. Viens, a member of the Department of Philosophy
, St Anne's College
, Oxford University, comments:
Viens also criticized Taylor's methodology, on the grounds that the sample size of cadavers was "extremely small".
The effect of circumcision on sexual function is the subject of intense debate. Taylor's view is that "almost certainly, removal of the prepuce and its ridged band distorts penile reflexogenic functions but exactly how and to what extent still remains to be seen".
For an overview of the issues surrounding male circumcision and sexual function, see Sexual effects of circumcision
.
the prepuce
Foreskin
In male human anatomy, the foreskin is a generally retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and protects the urinary meatus when the penis is not erect...
," or foreskin. John R. Taylor, a Canadian pathologist
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
and medical researcher
Biomedical research
Biomedical research , in general simply known as medical research, is the basic research, applied research, or translational research conducted to aid and support the body of knowledge in the field of medicine...
, first used the term "ridged band" instead of "wrinkly skin" and described the ridged band at the Second International Symposium on Circumcision, organized by NOCIRC (an organisation opposing infant circumcision) in San Francisco, 1991, after examining the foreskins of 22 adults obtained at autopsy. The mean age was 37 years, range 22-58. The prepuces were studied grossly and histologically.
The term "ridged band" was subsequently used by Taylor in an anatomical and histological study of the foreskin published in the British Journal of Urology in 1996. Most or all of the ridged band is removed by male circumcision.
Structure
Taylor described a transversely-ridged band of mucosal tissue located just inside the tip of the foreskin near the mucocutaneous boundary known as preputial sphincter. He characterized this ridged band as "intensely vascular". He described the band as "richly innervatedNerve
A peripheral nerve, or simply nerve, is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of peripheral axons . A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons. Nerves are found only in the peripheral nervous system...
", stated that it "contains more Meissner's corpuscles than does the smooth mucosa", and noted that these corpuscles were found only in the crests of ridges.
Function
Taylor postulates that "the ridged band with its unique structure, tactile corpuscles and other nerves, is primarily sensory tissue". He hypothesizes that Meissner's corpuscles in the ridged band are adapted to detect stretch:- Work in progress indicates that retraction and stretching of this accordion-like structure triggers reflex contraction of bulbocavernosusBulbospongiosus muscleBulbospongiosus is one of the superficial muscles of the perineum. It has a slightly different origin, insertion and function in males and females. In males, it covers the bulb of the penis...
and bulbospongiosus.
Taylor theorizes that the main function of the ridged band is to trigger sexual reflexes. In a letter to the editor of BJU International, 2007, Taylor writes:
- Initial study (J.R.T. unpublished) indicates that the real importance of the ridged band to sexual intercourse lies in an ability to trigger a reflex contraction of muscles responsible for ejaculation.
In the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2007, Taylor states:
- Both glans and prepuce contribute to the single mucocutaneous junctional zoneMucocutaneous zoneA mucocutaneous zone is a region of the body in which mucosa transitions to skin. Mucocutaneous zones occur in animals, at the body orifices.In humans, mucocutaneous zones are found at the lips, nostrils, conjunctivae, urethra, vagina , foreskin , and anus.At a mucocutaneous zone, epithelium...
of the penis and it is possible that these apparently dissimilar structures in fact share similar functions related more to sexual reflexes than to touch perception.
A.M. Viens, a member of the Department of Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, St Anne's College
St Anne's College
St Anne's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Formerly a women's college, it has been coeducational since 1979 and now prides itself on being "a modern, forward-looking, intellectually ambitious college"...
, Oxford University, comments:
- Not only is a pathological study not ideal for conclusions concerning the physical sensation and enjoyment of sex in the living, we have no findings that show that sensation transmission pathways of the penis differ substantially between circumcised and uncircumcised men. As it presently stands, there is no convincing evidence that shows that sexual function of circumcised individuals is worsened or damaged as a result of a properly performed circumcision.
Viens also criticized Taylor's methodology, on the grounds that the sample size of cadavers was "extremely small".
The effect of circumcision on sexual function is the subject of intense debate. Taylor's view is that "almost certainly, removal of the prepuce and its ridged band distorts penile reflexogenic functions but exactly how and to what extent still remains to be seen".
For an overview of the issues surrounding male circumcision and sexual function, see Sexual effects of circumcision
Sexual effects of circumcision
The sexual effects of circumcision are the subject of some debate. Studies have been conducted to investigate whether circumcision has any effect on sexual drive, erectile function, premature and delayed ejaculation, sexual satisfaction, sexual sensation and penile sensitivity...
.
See also
- Erogenous zoneErogenous zoneAn erogenous zone is an area of the human body that has heightened sensitivity, the stimulation of which may result in the production of erotic sensations or sexual excitement.People have erogenous zones all over their bodies, but which areas are more sensitive than others vary...
- Medical analysis of circumcisionMedical analysis of circumcisionNumerous medical studies have examined the effects of male circumcision with mixed opinions regarding the benefits and risks of the procedure. Opponents of circumcision say it is medically unnecessary, is unethical when performed on newborns, is painful even when performed with anesthetic,...
- Sexual effects of circumcisionSexual effects of circumcisionThe sexual effects of circumcision are the subject of some debate. Studies have been conducted to investigate whether circumcision has any effect on sexual drive, erectile function, premature and delayed ejaculation, sexual satisfaction, sexual sensation and penile sensitivity...
- Preputial mucosaPreputial mucosaThe preputial mucosa of the penis is the epithelium of the inside of the prepuce, or foreskin. To differentiate it from the cutaneous skin of the outside of the prepuce, it is sometimes referred to as the inner mucosa...
External links
- The Ridged Band: Specialized Sexual Tissue URL: http://research.cirp.org/ (Dr John R. Taylor responsible for site content)
Illustrations
- Dr John Taylor's illustrations http://research.cirp.org/pix1.html
- Your Anatomyhttp://www.infocirc.org/townsend/anatomy2.htm Site illustrating the ridged band
- Ridged band and frenulumhttp://www.sexdictionary.info/ridged%20ban_frenulum.html SexDictionary.info
Further reading
- Kristen O'Hara with Jeffrey O'Hara. Sex as Nature Intended It. Hudson, Massachusetts: Turning Point Publications, 2001: pp. 139, 148-49. (ISBN 0-9700442-0-8)
- Paul Fleiss, M.D. and Frederick Hodges, D. Phil. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcision. New York: Warner Books, 2002: pp. 7–8, 13, 14. (ISBN 0-446-67880-5)