Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Microscopic Replantation of Penile Glans Amputation Due to Circumcision
Published on: June 3, 2022
Sensory innervation of normal and hypospadiac prepuce: possible implications in hypospadiology
Zafar Nazir1, Rehan Masood, Resham Rehman
1Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, POB 3500, 74800 Karachi, Pakistan. zafar.nazir@aku.edu
Abstract:
Sensory innervation of the skin influences wound healing through the release of neuropeptides from the nerve endings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the sensory innervation of the normal and the hypospadiac prepuce. The prepuce from 10 healthy children undergoing routine circumcision and 10 age-matched children undergoing hypospadias repair were submitted for immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and substance P (SP). The hypospadiac prepuce was found to be hypo-innervated for PGP 9.5 and CGRP positive nerves when compared with the normal prepuce ( p<0.05). The number of SP-positive nerves were increased in the hypospadiac prepuce, but not to statistical significance ( p=0.06, confidence interval >95%). There may be differences in the sensory innervation of the normal and hypospadiac prepuce. These differences in tissue environment may partly explain the postoperative edema, poor wound healing leading to urethrocutaneous fistula (UF), and increased analgesia requirements in patients undergoing hypospadias surgery.
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensation
Sensory Functions of the Skin
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Spinal Nerves: Plexus II
The Lumbar Plexus
The lumbar plexus is situated within the lumbar region of the back and is primarily formed by the first four lumbar spinal nerves (L1 to L4). This plexus extends its branches into several nerves, including the...
Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

