78-426: A man is an adult male of the modern human species , its individuals, and nearest extinct relatives. See also man (word) for the etymology. Man or MAN may also refer to: Man A man is an adult male human . Before adulthood, a male human is referred to as a boy (a male child or adolescent ). Like most other male mammals , a man's genome usually inherits an X chromosome from
156-752: A gender binary in which man is one of the two genders, the other being woman . Most men are cisgender , and their gender identity aligns with their male sex assignment at birth. Trans men have a male gender identity that does not align with their female sex assignment at birth, and may undergo masculinizing hormone replacement therapy and/or sex reassignment surgery . Intersex men may have sex characteristics that do not fit typical notions of male biology. A 2016 systemic review estimated that 0.256% of people self-identify as female-to-male transgender. A 2017 survey of 80,929 Minnesota students found that roughly twice as many female-assigned adolescents self-identified as transgender, compared to adolescents with
234-639: A gender identity that does not align with their female sex assignment at birth, while intersex men may have sex characteristics that do not fit typical notions of male biology. The English term "man" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *man- (see Sanskrit / Avestan manu- , Slavic mǫž "man, male"). More directly, the word derives from Old English mann . The Old English form primarily meant "person" or "human being" and referred to men, women, and children alike. The Old English word for "man" as distinct from " woman " or "child"
312-400: A nocturnal emission ). Anejaculation is the condition of being unable to ejaculate. Sperm are produced in the testicles and stored in the attached epididymides . During ejaculation, sperm are propelled up the vasa deferentia , two ducts that pass over and behind the bladder. Fluids are added by the seminal vesicles and the vasa deferentia turn into the ejaculatory ducts , which join
390-729: A lower body fat composition. Male anatomy is distinguished from female anatomy by the male reproductive system , which includes the testicles , sperm ducts , prostate gland and epididymides , and penis . Secondary sex characteristics include a narrower pelvis and hips , and smaller breasts and nipples . Throughout human history , traditional gender roles have often defined men's activities and opportunities. Men often face conscription into military service or are directed into professions with high mortality rates . Many religious doctrines stipulate certain rules for men, such as religious circumcision . Men are over-represented as both perpetrators and victims of violence . Trans men have
468-491: A majority of on the job deaths. Further, medical doctors provide men with less service, less advice, and spend less time with men than they do with women per medical encounter. Male sexuality and attraction varies between individuals, and a man's sexual behavior can be affected by many factors, including evolved predispositions , personality , upbringing , and culture . While most men are heterosexual , significant minorities are homosexual or bisexual . Most cultures use
546-414: A male karyotype (XY). The SRY gene is typically found on the Y chromosome and causes the development of the testes, which in turn govern other aspects of male sex differentiation . Sex differentiation in males proceeds in a testes-dependent way while female differentiation is not gonad dependent. Primary sex characteristics (or sex organs) are characteristics that are present at birth and are integral to
624-400: A male sex assignment. Masculinity (also sometimes called manhood or manliness ) is the set of personality traits and attributes associated with boys and men. Although masculinity is socially constructed , some research indicates that some behaviors considered masculine are biologically influenced. To what extent masculinity is biologically or socially influenced is subject to debate. It
702-441: A man's wardrobe include shirts, trousers, suits, and jackets, which are designed to provide both comfort and style while prioritizing functionality. Men's fashion also encompasses more casual garments such as t-shirts , sweatshirts , jeans , shorts , and swimwear , which are typically intended for informal settings. Cultural and regional traditions often influence men's fashion, resulting in diverse styles and garments that reflect
780-725: A proactive role, initiate the relationship, plan dates, and propose marriage. Anthropology has shown that masculinity itself has social status , just like wealth, race and social class. In Western culture , for example, greater masculinity usually brings greater social status. Many English words such as virtue and virile (from the Indo-European root vir meaning man ) reflect this. In most cultures, male privilege allows men more rights and privileges than women. In societies where men are not given special legal privileges, they typically hold more positions of power, and men are seen as being taken more seriously in society. This
858-405: A social bias existing around penis size with larger penises being preferred and having higher social status. This is reflected in the association between believed sexual prowess and penis size and the social judgement of penis size in relation to 'manhood'. The shape of the human penis is thought to have evolved as a result of sperm competition. Semen displacement is an adaptation of the shape of
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#1732772191029936-480: A woman. Since sperm that enters a woman's uterus and then fallopian tubes goes on to fertilize an egg which develops into a fetus or child, the male reproductive system plays no necessary role during the gestation . The study of male reproduction and associated organs is called andrology . Testosterone stimulates the development of the Wolffian ducts , the penis, and closure of the labioscrotal folds into
1014-516: Is armed conflicts , where men are often the immediate victims. A study of conflicts in 13 countries from 1955 to 2002 found that 81% of all violent war deaths were male. Apart from armed conflicts, areas with high incidence of violence, such as regions controlled by drug cartels , also see men experiencing higher mortality rates. This stems from social beliefs that associate ideals of masculinity with aggressive, confrontational behavior. Lastly, sudden and drastic changes in economic environments and
1092-541: Is distinct from the definition of the biological male sex , as both males and females can exhibit masculine traits. Men generally face social stigma for embodying feminine traits, more so than women do for embodying masculine traits. This can also manifest as homophobia . Standards of manliness or masculinity vary across different cultures and historical periods. While the outward signs of masculinity look different in different cultures, there are some common aspects to its definition across cultures. In all cultures in
1170-605: Is "fanciful" and all the historical evidence favours "the conclusion of the French classical scholar Claude de Saumaise " that it is derived from θρ , the contraction of a Greek epithet for Mars, θοῦρος ( Thouros ). Human penis In human anatomy , the penis ( / ˈ p iː n ɪ s / ; pl. : penises or penes ; from the Latin pēnis , initially "tail" ) is an external sex organ ( intromittent organ ) through which males urinate and ejaculate . Together with
1248-434: Is a consensus that circumcision reduces heterosexual HIV infection rates in high-risk populations during penile-vaginal sex. There are differing perspectives on the prophylactic efficacy and cost effectiveness of circumcision in developed nations . Circumcision plays a significant role in many of the world's cultures. When performed for religious reasons, it is most common among both Jews and Muslims , among whom it
1326-433: Is a further form of body modification, as well as implants under the shaft of the penis. Another type of alteration to the penis is genital tattooing . Trans women who undergo sex reassignment surgery have their penis surgically modified into a vagina or clitoris via vaginoplasty or clitoroplasty respectively. Trans men who undergo such surgery have a phalloplasty or metoidioplasty . Other practices that alter
1404-403: Is affected by genetics , but also by environmental factors such as fertility medications and chemical/pollution exposure. When the fetus is exposed to testosterone , the genital tubercle elongates ( primordial phallus ) and develops into the glans and shaft of the penis and the urogenital folds fuse to become the penile raphe. The urethra within the penis (except within the glans)
1482-642: Is associated with a "gender-role strain" in which men face increased societal pressure to conform to gender roles. The earliest known recorded name of a man in writing is potentially Kushim , who would have lived sometime between 3400 and 3000 BC in the Sumerian city of Uruk ; though his name may have been a title rather than his actual name. The earliest confirmed names are that of Gal-Sal and his two slaves named En-pap X and Sukkalgir, from c. 3100 BC . Men may have children, whether biological or adopted ; such men are called fathers. The role of men in
1560-412: Is developed from the urogenital sinus . On entering puberty , the penis, scrotum and testicles will enlarge toward maturity. During the process, pubic hair grows above and around the penis. A large-scale study assessing penis size in thousands of 17- to 19-year-old males found no difference in average penis size between 17-year-olds and 19-year-olds. From this, it can be concluded that penile growth
1638-463: Is in healthy males, under voluntary control. Relaxing the urethral sphincter allows the urine in the upper urethra to enter the penis properly and thus empty the urinary bladder. Physiologically, urination involves coordination between the central , autonomic , and somatic nervous systems . In infants, some elderly individuals, and those with neurological injury, urination may occur as an involuntary reflex. Brain centers that regulate urination include
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#17327721910291716-420: Is most common. Ejaculation is the ejection of semen from the penis. It is usually accompanied by orgasm. A series of muscular contractions delivers semen, containing male gametes known as sperm cells or spermatozoa , from the penis. Ejaculation usually happens as the result of sexual stimulation, but it can be due to prostatic disease in rare cases. Ejaculation may occur spontaneously during sleep (known as
1794-503: Is near-universal. There are efforts by scientists to partially or fully regenerate the structures of the human penis . Patients who can benefit most from this field are those who have congenital defects, cancer, and injuries that have excised parts of their genitalia . Some organizations which perform research into, or conduct regeneration procedures, include the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and
1872-778: Is overwhelmingly discriminatory , currently only ten countries include women in their conscription programs. Men continue to hold more dangerous jobs than women, even in developed countries. In the United States in 2020, ten times as many men died on the job as women, and a man was ten times more likely to die on the job than a woman. Media portrayals of men often replicate traditional understanding of masculinity. Men are portrayed more frequently in television than women and most commonly appear as leads in action and drama programming. Men are typically more active in television programming than women and typically hold more power and status. Due to their prominence, men are more likely to be both
1950-470: Is reciprocating from a cotton soft to a bony rigidity resulting from penile arterial flow varied between 2–3 to 60–80 mL/Min implies the most ideal milieu to apply Pascal's law in the entire human body; the overall structure is unique. Penile measurements vary, with studies that rely on self-measurement reporting a significantly higher average size than those which rely on measurements taken by health professional. A 2015 systematic review of 15,521 men in which
2028-523: Is stigmatized. Domestic violence against men is similarly stigmatized, although men make up half of the victims in heterosexual couples. Opponents of circumcision describe it as a human rights violation. The fathers' rights movement seeks to support separated fathers that do not receive equal rights to care for their children. The men's movement is the response to issues faced by men in Western countries. It includes pro-feminist groups such as
2106-406: Is the autonomic dilation of arteries supplying blood to the penis, which allows more blood to fill the three spongy erectile tissue chambers in the penis, the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, causing it to lengthen and stiffen. After vasocongestion , the now-engorged erectile tissue presses against and constricts the veins that carry blood away from the penis. More blood enters than leaves
2184-405: Is the part of the human penis thought to have evolved to allow for semen displacement. Research has studied how much semen is displaced by differently shaped artificial genitals. This research showed that, when combined with thrusting, the coronal ridge of the penis is able to remove the seminal fluid of a rival male from within the female reproductive tract . It does this by forcing the semen under
2262-411: Is typically complete not later than age 17, and possibly earlier. Males expel urine from the bladder through the urethra, which passes through the prostate where it is joined by the ejaculatory ducts , and then onward through the penis. At the root of the penis (the proximal end of the corpus spongiosum) lies the external sphincter muscle . This is a small sphincter of striated muscle tissue and
2340-652: Is where the sperm of two males simultaneously occupy the reproductive tract of a female and they compete to fertilise the egg. If sperm competition results in the rival male's sperm fertilising the egg, cuckoldry could occur. This is the process whereby males unwittingly invest their resources into offspring of another male and, evolutionarily speaking, should be avoided. The most researched human penis adaptations are penis size and semen displacement. Evolution has caused sexually selected adaptations to occur in penis size in order to maximise reproductive success and minimise sperm competition. Sperm competition has caused
2418-616: The United States Department of Defense . The first successful penis allotransplant surgery was done in September 2005 in a military hospital in Guangzhou , China. A man at 44 sustained an injury after an accident and his penis was severed; urination became difficult as his urethra was partly blocked. A recently brain-dead man, aged 23, was selected for the transplant. Despite atrophy of blood vessels and nerves,
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2496-482: The arteries , veins , nerves and the corpora spongiosa were successfully matched. But, on 19 September (after two weeks), the surgery was reversed because of a severe psychological problem (rejection) by the recipient and his wife. In 2009, researchers Chen, Eberli, Yoo and Atala have produced bioengineered penises and implanted them on rabbits. They were able to obtain erection and copulate , with 10 of 12 rabbits achieving ejaculation . This study shows that in
2574-405: The dorsal side and one corpus spongiosum lies between them on the ventral side . These columns are surrounded by a fibrous layer of connective tissue called the tunica albuginea . The corpora cavernosa are innervated by lesser and greater cavernous nerves and form most of the penis containing blood vessels that fill with blood to help make an erection. The crura are the proximal parts of
2652-426: The frenulum of the coronal ridge, causing it to collect behind the coronal ridge shaft. When model penises without a coronal ridge were used, less than half the artificial sperm was displaced, compared to penises with a coronal ridge. The presence of a coronal ridge alone, however, is not sufficient for effective semen displacement. It must be combined with adequate thrusting to be successful. It has been shown that
2730-487: The men's liberation movement , and anti-feminist groups such as the manosphere . The Mars symbol (♂) is a common symbol that represents the male sex. The symbol is identical to the planetary symbol of Mars . It was first used to denote sex by Carl Linnaeus in 1751. The symbol is sometimes seen as a stylized representation of the shield and spear of the Roman god Mars . According to Stearn, however, this derivation
2808-419: The pontine micturition center , periaqueductal gray , and the cerebral cortex . During erection, these centers block the relaxation of the sphincter muscles, so as to act as a physiological separation of the excretory and reproductive function of the penis, and preventing urine from entering the upper portion of the urethra during ejaculation. The distal section of the urethra allows a human male to direct
2886-438: The sexually dimorphic phenotypic traits that distinguish between the sexes, but—unlike the primary sex characteristics—are not directly part of the reproductive system . Secondary sexual characteristics that are specific to men include: Men weigh more than women. On average, men are taller than women by about 10%. On average, men have a larger waist in comparison to their hips (see waist–hip ratio ) than women. In women,
2964-403: The testes and surrounding structures, the penis functions as part of the male reproductive system , The main parts of the penis are the root , body , the epithelium of the penis including the shaft skin, and the foreskin covering the glans . The body of the penis is made up of three columns of tissue : two corpora cavernosa on the dorsal side and corpus spongiosum between them on
3042-410: The vasa deferentia and ejaculatory ducts , tubular structures that transfer the mature sperm to the urethra. The external male genitalia consist of the penis , an organ that expels semen , and the scrotum , a pouch of skin housing the testicles. The male reproductive system's function is to produce semen , which carries sperm and thus genetic information that can unite with an egg within
3120-538: The ventral side . The urethra passes through the prostate gland , where it is joined by the ejaculatory ducts , and then through the penis. The urethra goes across the corpus spongiosum and ends at the tip of the glans as the opening, the urinary meatus . An erection is the stiffening expansion and orthogonal reorientation of the penis, which occurs during sexual arousal . Erections can occur in non- sexual situations; spontaneous non-sexual erections frequently occur during adolescence and sleep. In its flaccid state,
3198-552: The "head of household" and held additional social privileges. Men have traditionally held jobs that were not available to women. Such jobs tended to be either more strenuous, more prestigious, or more dangerous. Modern men increasingly take untraditional career paths, such as staying home and raising children while their partner works. Modern men tend to work longer than women, which impacts their ability to spend time with their families. Even in modern times, some jobs remain available only to men, such as military service. Conscription
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3276-432: The common cold found that doctors underrate the symptoms of men, and are more willing to attribute symptoms and illness to women than men. Women live longer than men in all countries, and across all age groups, for which reliable records exist. In the United States, men are less healthy than women across all social classes. Non-white men are especially unhealthy. Men are over-represented in dangerous occupations and represent
3354-402: The corpora cavernosa. The corpus spongiosum is an erectile tissue surrounding the urethra. The proximal parts of the corpus spongiosum form the bulb and the distal ends form the glans penis. The enlarged and bulbous-shaped end of the corpus spongiosum forms the glans penis with two specific types of sinusoids, which supports the foreskin, a loose fold of skin that in adults can retract to expose
3432-589: The corpus spongiosum ( spongy urethra ) and opens through the urinary meatus on the tip of the glans. The penile raphe is the visible ridge between the lateral halves of the penis, found on the ventral or underside of the penis, running from the meatus and continuing as the perineal raphe across the scrotum and the perineum (area between scrotum and anus ). The human penis differs from those of most other mammals , as it has no baculum (or erectile bone) and instead relies entirely on engorgement with blood to reach its erect state. A distal ligament buttresses
3510-400: The deeper the thrusting, the larger the semen displacement. No semen displacement occurs with shallow thrusting. Some have therefore termed thrusting as a semen displacement behaviour. The behaviours associated with semen displacement, namely thrusting (number of thrusts and depth of thrusts), and duration of sexual intercourse , have been shown to vary according to whether a male perceives
3588-781: The ejaculate deep in the vaginal tract, could reduce the loss of semen. Another evolutionary theory of penis size is female mate choice and its associations with social judgements in modern-day society. A study which illustrates female mate choice as an influence on penis size presented females with life-size, rotatable, computer generated males. These varied in height, body shape and flaccid penis size, with these aspects being examples of masculinity. Female ratings of attractiveness for each male revealed that larger penises were associated with higher attractiveness ratings. These relations between penis size and attractiveness have therefore led to frequently emphasized associations between masculinity and penis size in popular media. This has led to
3666-555: The family has shifted considerably in the 20th and 21st centuries, taking on a more active role in raising children in most societies. Men would traditionally marry a woman when raising children, but in modern times many countries now allow for same-sex marriage , and for those couples to raise children either via adoption or surrogacy . Men may be single parents , and are increasingly so in modern times, though women are three times more likely to be single parents than men. In paternal societies, men have typically have been regarded as
3744-415: The flaccid penis accurately predicts erectile length. There are several common body modifications to the penis, including circumcision and piercings . The penis is homologous to the clitoris in females. Three main parts of the human penis include: The human penis is made up of three columns of erectile tissue : two corpora cavernosa lie next to each other (separated by a fibrous septum ) on
3822-402: The frenulum are erogenous zones of the penis. The glans has a lot of nerve endings , which makes it the most sensitive. The most effective way to stimulate the penis is through oral stimulation ( fellatio ), manual stimulation (a handjob or manual masturbation ), or during sexual penetration . Frot is mutual penile stimulation between men. An erection is the stiffening and rising of
3900-487: The glans penis and plays an integral role to the penile fibroskeleton, and the structure is called "os analog", a term coined by Geng Long Hsu in the Encyclopedia of Reproduction . It is a remnant of the baculum that has likely evolved due to change in mating practice . The human penis cannot be withdrawn into the groin, and it is larger than average in the animal kingdom in proportion to body mass. The human penis
3978-406: The glans. The area on the underside of the glans, where the foreskin is attached, is called the frenulum . The rounded base of the glans is called the corona . The inner surface of the foreskin and corona is rich in sebaceous glands that secrete smegma . The structure of the penis is supported by the pelvic floor muscles . The urethra , which is the last part of the urinary tract , traverses
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#17327721910294056-439: The human penis to evolve in length and size for sperm retention and displacement. To achieve this, the penis must be of sufficient length to reach any rival sperm and to maximally fill the vagina . In order to ensure that the female retains the male's sperm, the adaptations in length of the human penis have occurred so that the ejaculate is placed close to the female cervix. This is achieved when complete penetration occurs and
4134-451: The index and ring fingers tend to be either more similar in size or their index finger is slightly longer than their ring finger, whereas men's ring finger tends to be longer. The internal male genitalia consist of the testicles , gonads that produce male gametes called sperm , the prostate , seminal vesicles , and bulbourethral glands , accessory glands that partake in sperm health, the epididymides , organs that store sperm cells, and
4212-565: The level of the spinal nerves S2–4 via the pudendal nerve . A refractory period succeeds the ejaculation, and sexual stimulation precedes it. The ischiocavernosus muscle helps to stabilize the penis during erection by compressing the crus and slowing the return of blood through the veins. The bulbospongiosus muscle also contributes to erection along with the expulsion of urine and semen. The human penis has been argued to have several evolutionary adaptations that maximise reproductive success and minimise sperm competition . Sperm competition
4290-436: The loss of social safety nets , in particular social subsidies and food stamps, have also been linked to higher levels of alcohol consumption and psychological stress among men, leading to a spike in male mortality rates. This is because such situations often makes it harder for men to provide for their family, a task that has been long regarded as the "essence of masculinity." A retrospective analyses of people infected with
4368-466: The male replaces the rival's sperm with his own, thereby increasing the probability of his fertilising the egg and successfully reproducing with the female. However, males have to ensure they do not displace their own sperm. It is thought that the relatively quick loss of erection after ejaculation, penile hypersensitivity following ejaculation, and the shallower, slower thrusting of the male after ejaculation prevent this from occurring. The coronal ridge
4446-634: The medical superiority of either position exists, but the data are heterogenic . A meta-analysis summarizing the evidence found no superior position for young, healthy males. For elderly males with LUTS , however, the sitting position when compared to the standing position is differentiated by the following: This urodynamic profile is related to a lower risk of urologic complications, such as cystitis and bladder stones . The penis incites sexual arousal when sexually stimulated , such as from mental stimuli ( sexual fantasy ), partnered activity, or masturbation , which can lead to orgasm . The glans and
4524-579: The most commonly used euphemism for penis in English literature and society was member . The penis is sometimes pierced or decorated by other body art. Other than circumcision, genital alterations are almost universally elective and usually for the purpose of aesthetics or increased sensitivity. Piercings of the penis include the Prince Albert , apadravya , ampallang , dydoe , deep shaft and frenum piercings . Foreskin restoration or stretching
4602-460: The mother and a Y chromosome from the father. Sex differentiation of the male fetus is governed by the SRY gene on the Y chromosome. During puberty, hormones which stimulate androgen production result in the development of secondary sexual characteristics that result in even more differences between the sexes. These include greater muscle mass , greater height, the growth of facial hair and
4680-407: The objects and instigators of humorous or disparaging content. Fathers are often portrayed in television as either idealized and caring or clumsy and inept. In advertising, men are disproportionately featured in advertisements for alcohol, vehicles, and business products. Men's clothing typically encompasses a range of garments designed for various occasions, seasons, and styles. Fundamental items of
4758-750: The past, and still among traditional and non-Western cultures, getting married is the most common and definitive distinction between boyhood and manhood. In the late 20th century, some qualities traditionally associated with marriage (such as the "triple Ps" of protecting, providing, and procreating ) were still considered signs of having achieved manhood. Platonic relationships are not significantly different between men and women, though some differences do exist. Friendships involving men tend to be based more on shared activities than self-disclosure and personal connection. Perceptions of friendship involving men varies among cultures and time periods. In heterosexual romantic relationships, men are typically expected to take
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#17327721910294836-417: The penis are also performed, although they are rare in Western societies without a diagnosed medical condition. Apart from penectomy , perhaps the most radical of these is subincision , in which the urethra is split along the underside of the penis. Subincision originated among Australian Aborigines , although it is now done by some in the U.S. and Europe. The most common form of body modification related to
4914-474: The penis is circumcision : removal of part or all of the foreskin. It is most commonly performed as an elective procedure for prophylactic , cultural , or religious reasons. For infant circumcision, modern devices such as the Gomco clamp , Plastibell , and Mogen clamp are available. The ethics of circumcision in children is a source of controversy . Among the world's major medical organizations, there
4992-453: The penis is smaller, gives to pressure, and the glans is covered by the foreskin. In its fully erect state, the shaft becomes rigid and the glans becomes engorged but not rigid. An erect penis may be straight or curved and may point at an upward angle, a downward angle, or straight ahead. As of 2015 , the average erect human penis is 13.12 cm (5.17 in) long and has a circumference of 11.66 cm (4.59 in). Neither age nor size of
5070-423: The penis pushes against the cervix. These adaptations have occurred in order to release and retain sperm to the highest point of the vaginal tract. As a result, this adaptation also leaves the sperm less vulnerable to sperm displacement and semen loss. Another reason for this adaptation is that, due to the nature of the human posture, gravity creates vulnerability for semen loss. Therefore, a long penis, which places
5148-406: The penis to draw foreign semen away from the cervix. This means that in the event of a rival male's sperm occupying the reproductive tract of a female, the human penis is able to displace the rival sperm, replacing it with his own. Semen displacement has two main benefits for a male. Firstly, by displacing a rival male's sperm, the risk of the rival sperm fertilising the egg is reduced. Secondly,
5226-502: The penis until an equilibrium is reached where an equal volume of blood flows into the dilated arteries and out of the constricted veins; a constant erectile size is achieved at this equilibrium. Erection facilitates sexual intercourse though it is not essential for various other sexual activities . Although many erect penises point upwards, it is common and normal for erect penis to curve in any direction. Many penises are curved in right, left, upwards or downwards direction depending upon
5304-469: The penis, which occurs during sexual arousal, though it can also happen in non-sexual situations. Spontaneous erections frequently occur during adolescence due to friction with clothing, a full bladder or large intestine, hormone fluctuations, nervousness, and undressing in a nonsexual situation. It is also normal for erections to occur during sleep and upon waking. (See nocturnal penile tumescence .) The primary physiological mechanism that brings about erection
5382-592: The reproductive process. For men, primary sex characteristics include the penis and testicles . Adult humans exhibit sexual dimorphism in many other characteristics, many of which have no direct link to reproductive ability. Humans are sexually dimorphic in body size, body structure, and body composition. Men tend to be taller and heavier than women, and adjusted for height, men tend to have greater lean and bone mass than women, and lower fat mass. Secondary sex characteristics are features that appear during puberty in humans . Such features are especially evident in
5460-757: The risk of partner infidelity to be high or not. Males and females report greater semen displacement behaviours following allegations of infidelity. In particular, following allegations of infidelity, males and females report deeper and quicker thrusting during sexual intercourse. In many cultures, referring to the penis is considered taboo or vulgar, and a variety of slang words and euphemisms are used to talk about it. In English, these include member , dick , cock , prick , johnson , dork , peter , pecker , manhood , stick , rod , third/middle leg , dong , willy , schlong , and todger . Many of these are used as insults —though sometimes playfully—meaning an unpleasant or unworthy person. Among these, historically,
5538-504: The scrotum. Another significant hormone in sexual differentiation is the anti-Müllerian hormone , which inhibits the development of the Müllerian ducts . For males during puberty, testosterone, along with gonadotropins released by the pituitary gland , stimulates spermatogenesis . While a majority of the global health gender disparities is weighted against women, there are situations in which men tend to fare poorer. One such instance
5616-437: The stream of urine by holding the penis. This flexibility allows the male to choose the posture in which to urinate. In cultures where more than a minimum of clothing is worn, the penis allows the male to urinate while standing without removing much of the clothing. It is customary for some boys and men to urinate in seated or crouched positions. The preferred position may be influenced by cultural or religious beliefs. Research on
5694-404: The subjects were measured by health professionals showed that the average length of an erect human penis is 13.12 cm (5.17 inches) long, while the average circumference of an erect human penis is 11.66 cm (4.59 inches). Among all primates, the human penis is the largest in girth, but is comparable to the chimpanzee penis and the penises of certain other primates in length. Penis size
5772-419: The tension of the suspensory ligament that holds it in position. The following table shows how common various erection angles are for a standing male, out of a sample of 81 males aged 21 through 67. In the table, zero degrees is pointing straight up against the abdomen, 90 degrees is horizontal and pointing straight forward, while 180 degrees would be pointing straight down to the feet. An upward pointing angle
5850-531: The unique characteristics of different parts of the world. Men traditionally received more education than women as a result of single-sex education . Universal education, meaning state-provided primary and secondary education independent of gender, is not yet a global norm, even if it is assumed in most developed countries. In the 21st century, the balance has shifted in many developed nations, and men now lag behind women in education. Men are more likely than women to be faculty at universities. In 2020, 90% of
5928-415: The urethra inside the prostate . The prostate, as well as the bulbourethral glands , add further secretions (including pre-ejaculate ), and the semen is expelled through the penis. Ejaculation has two phases: emission and ejaculation proper. The emission phase of the ejaculatory reflex is under control of the sympathetic nervous system , while the ejaculatory phase is under control of a spinal reflex at
6006-472: The world's men were literate , compared to 87% of women. But sub-Saharan Africa, and southwest Asia lagged behind the rest of the world; only 72% of men in sub-Saharan Africa were literate. In most societies, men have more legal and cultural rights than women. and misogyny is far more prevalent than misandry in society. While one in six male experiences sexual assault , men typically receive less support after being victims of it, and rape of males
6084-464: Was wer . Mann only came to mean "man" in Middle English, replacing wer , which survives today only in the compounds " werewolf " (from Old English werwulf , literally "man-wolf"), and " wergild ", literally "man-payment". In humans, sperm cells carry either an X or a Y sex chromosome. If a sperm cell carrying a Y chromosome fertilizes the female ovum , the offspring will have
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