This article is about smegma, a secretion of mammalian genitals. See Vernix caseosa for the substance that covers the skin of a baby at birth. Vernix, also known as Vernix caseosa, is the waxy or " cheesy " white substance found coating the Skin of Newborn humans See Smegma (band) for the experimental noise band. Smegma is an American experimental noise group formed in Pasadena California in 1973 and currently based in Portland Oregon

Smegma, a transliteration of the Greek word σμήγμα for sebum, is a combination of exfoliated (shed) epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture, and can accumulate under the foreskin of males and within the vulva of females. Transliteration is the practice of Transcribing a Word or text written in one Writing system into another writing system or system of rules for such practice Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly The sebaceous glands are Glands found in the Skin of Mammals Locations and morphology A branched type of Acinar gland, these Exfoliation involves the removal of the oldest dead Skin cells on the skin's outermost surface and has been used for many years to help maintain the skin In biology and medicine epithelium is a tissue composed of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body Transudate is extravascular fluid with low protein content and a Specific gravity In Male Human Anatomy, the foreskin or prepuce (a technically broader term that also includes the Clitoral hood, the homologous The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs It has a characteristic strong odor. Smegma is common to all mammals, male and female. Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Mycobacterium smegmatis is the characteristic bacterium involved in smegma production, and is generally thought to form smegma from epidermal secretions. Mycobacterium smegmatis is an Acid-fast bacterial species in the Genus Mycobacterium.

In healthy animals, smegma helps clean and lubricate the genitals. In veterinary medicine, analysis of this smegma is sometimes used for detection of urinary infections, such as trichomoniasis. Some have recommended periodic cleaning of male genitals to improve the health of the animal. ^[1]

Human smegma

Smegma allowed to accumulate long enough to become visible

Both males and females produce smegma. In males smegma is produced and accumulates under the foreskin of uncircumcised individuals; in females it collects around the clitoris and in the folds of the labia minora. In Male Human Anatomy, the foreskin or prepuce (a technically broader term that also includes the Clitoral hood, the homologous Male circumcision is the removal of some or all of the Foreskin (prepuce from the Penis. The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in Female Mammals In humans the visible button-like portion is located near the Anterior The labia minora (singular labium minus) or nymphae are two longitudinal Cutaneous folds on the human Vulva.

Smegma is noticeable as a smooth or moist texture until it is allowed to accumulate, when it takes on its characteristic texture and appearance described in many texts as "cheesy". Because smegma tends to accumulate under the foreskin in males, its presence is less common and less noticeable in circumcised males. ^[2]

The subpreputial moisture keeps the glans moist and may lubricate the movement of the foreskin. However, if allowed to accumulate and decay in the foreskin cavity it can provide an ideal medium for potentially pathogenic bacteria to colonize;^[3] current medical opinion is that allowing smegma to accumulate freely is unhealthy. Accumulation of smegma can cause or aggravate a variety of irritations known as balanitis. Balanitis is Inflammation of the Glans penis (from Greek: βάλανος balanos "acorn" ^[4] Per the SEER database, the incidence of developing a primary penile cancer is less than 1 per 100,000 in the general population, but for uncircumcised males the rate is estimated to be as high as 1 per 600. ^[5] Circumcision at a young age appears to be more protective against cancer of the penis than at the time of puberty or later. Early medical studies such as those by Plaut (1947) and Heins et al (1958)^[6] claimed that smegma accumulation led to the development of penile cancer, but the American Cancer Society states that more recent studies have failed to support this. Penile cancer is a malignant growth found on the skin or in the tissues of the Penis. The American Cancer Society ( ACS) is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to ^[4]Penile cancer is extremely uncommon in Jewish and Muslim populations that practice circumcision at infancy and between the ages of 3-13, respectively. ^{[7] [8]}

Preventing accumulation is best done by rinsing the area with warm water. In females, the hood of the clitoris can be gently pulled back to wash away accumulated smegma. The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in Female Mammals In humans the visible button-like portion is located near the Anterior Some argue that soap is best avoided because it depletes natural skin oils and may cause non-specific dermatitis. Dermatitis is a Blanket term meaning any " Inflammation of the skin" (e ^[9] Noticeably unpleasant cheese-like odors can be an indicator of a potentially serious medical problem, or a need to gently wash away excess with water. Deodorant sprays or washes may cause thrush or thrush-like conditions — washing using warm water only is recommended by health professionals for individuals with sensitive skin, or who suffer from dermatitis reactions to using soap-like products. Candidiasis, commonly called yeast infection or thrush, is a Fungal infection (mycosis of any of the Candida species of which

References

• O'Neill HJ, Gershbein LL. Lipids of human and equine smegma. Oncology 1976;33(4):161-6.

• Effects of hygiene among the uncircumcised Krueger H, Osborn L. J Fam Pract. 1986 Apr;22(4):353-5.

• The bacterial flora of preputial space Neubert U, Lentze I. Hautarzt. 1979 Mar;30(3):149-53.

External links

• Wright J. How smegma serves the penis: Nature's assurance that the uncircumcised glans penis will function smoothly is provided by smegma. Sexology (New York) 1970;37(2):50-53.

• Parkash S, Jeyakumar K, Subramanya K, et al. Human subpreputial collection: its nature and formation. J Urol 1973;110(2):211-12.

• Van Howe RS, Hodges FM. The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2006;20(9):1046.

Images of smegma

• Images of smegma on male genitals: [1][2][3][4]

• Images of smegma on female genitals: [5][6][7]