What is "phimosis"

Phimosis \Phi*mo"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a muzzling, fr. ? muzzle.] (Med.) A condition of the penis in which the prepuce can not be drawn back so as to uncover the glans penis.

1670s, from Greek phimosis, literally "muzzling," from phimos "a muzzle."

n. (context medicine English) A contraction of the foreskin (either as a stage of development or a pathological condition), which prevents it from being retracted.

n. an abnormal tightness of the foreskin preventing retraction over the glans

Phimosis is a condition of the penis where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the glans penis. The term may also refer to clitoral phimosis in women, whereby the clitoral hood cannot be retracted, limiting exposure of the glans clitoridis.

At birth, the foreskin is fused to the glans and is not retractable. For some males, non-retractability may be normal until the age of adolescence.

Normal developmental non-retractability does not cause any problems. Phimosis is deemed pathological when it causes problems, such as difficulty urinating or performing common sexual functions. There are numerous causes of so-called pathological phimosis. Nonsurgical treatment involves the stretching of the foreskin, steroid creams and changing masturbation habits. Surgical treatments include preputioplasty and circumcision. The word is from the Greek phimos (φῑμός ["muzzle"]).