smegma

[Tylor lakon]

What is smegma, I heard it grows under the foreskin and it's dead sperm.
Is that true, if not can someone tell me what it is.

[deregisterme]

Hi, this is from a google search then the Wikipedia link:
Males[edit]





Smegma can accumulate on a penis.
In males, smegma helps keep the glans moist and facilitates sexual intercourse by acting as a lubricant.[4][5][6]

Smegma was originally thought to be produced by sebaceous glands near the frenulum called Tyson's glands; however, subsequent studies have failed to find these glands.[7] Wright states that smegma is produced from minute microscopic protrusions of the mucosal surface of the foreskin and that living cells constantly grow towards the surface, undergo fatty degeneration, separate off, and form smegma.[4] Parkash et al. found that smegma contains 26.6% fats and 13.3% proteins, which they judged to be consistent with necrotic epithelial debris.[7] Newly produced smegma has a smooth, moist texture. It is thought to be rich in squalene[8] and contain prostatic and seminal secretions, desquamated epithelial cells, and the mucin content of the urethral glands of Littré.[6] Some state that it contains anti-bacterial enzymes such as lysozyme and hormones such as androsterone,[5][6] though others dispute this.[9]

According to Wright, little smegma is produced during childhood, although the foreskin may contain sebaceous glands. She also says that production of smegma increases from adolescence until sexual maturity when the function of smegma for lubrication assumes its full value, and from middle-age production starts to decline and in old age virtually no smegma is produced.[4] Oster reported that the incidence of smegma increased from 1% among 6-7 and 8-9 year olds to 8% among 14-15 and 16-17 year olds (an overall incidence of 5%).[10]

[Zanman11]

It's like flakey things that can get under the foreskin for uncut guys or under the head for cut guys. If you wash properly, you will have no problems!

[wirelessbrain]

woah thanks! haven't heard of it but now I know it

[ksdnfkfr]

It reminds me of that white stuff that
collects in the corners of your mouth.
I see a little sometimes when I peel
back after not having a shower for a
couple of days. But I never thought any
more about it than boogers in my eyes
when I wake up and stuff like that.

[Lodan]

I think it's a sign that you need to wash properly under the foreskin because smegma is generally a bad thing

(although it's *purpose* would suggest otherwise)