It consists of three cylindrical masses of erectile tissues and the urethra surrounded by a loose layer of skin . Two paired, copus cavernosa of the penis lie dorsally while one ventrally-located corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra. The corpus spongiosum expands at the terminal end to form the glans penis. These erectile tissues are composed of venous spaces lined with epithelial cells separated by connective tissue and smooth muscle cells. Most of the penile urethra is lined with pseudostratified epithelium, but in the glans it becomes stratified squamous epithelium.
Glands secrete mucous into the urethral lumen all along the length of the penile urethra.
The glans is highly innervated with sensory neurons, that are stimulated by contact and friction during sexual relations. The arterial supply to the penis originates at the internal pudendal arteries. Nutritive arteries supply oxygen and nutrients to the vascular tissues and trabeculae. Circumcision removes a portion of the skin at the terminus of the penis surrounding the glans. This porcedure dates back thousands of years into ancient Hebrew culture, in which flint knives were used.