Frenulum Anomalies and Diseases

Abstract

The frenulum is an elastic band of tissue under the glans penis connects it to the vernal mucosa of the prepuce, and helps reteran of the prepuce over the glans after retraction. In females, frenulum is anatomically different from that of the male and known as a frenulum clitoridis. While little is known about its function and its abnormalities; however the frenula brave is the commonest anomaly and frenuloplasty is a common procedure applied for its treatment and also to manage premature ejaculation by some surgeons. Frenulum is the shortest part of the prepuce. At the time of erection, it experiences the largest tension and hence it is prone to damage. By lengthening the frenulum, the erection time could be extended. If the frenulum is tethered too tightly, it may cause a downward curvature of the glans, or forming a chordee. Furthermore, if the distal raphe is disrupted, and prepuce is deficient ventrally; for example in the case of hypospadias, the frenulum will likely to be absent. When dissecting the preputial space, during circumcision or other penile surgeries care must be taken to avoid traumatizing the frenulum as it is often the site of pesky bleeding. It is claimed that when the frenulum is cut and reconstructed, penile tension and sensitivity are decreased.