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Glossary list with short definitions

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  • Meissner's Corpuscles

    One of the primary orgasmic nerve receptors in the foreskin.  In the penis, they are concentrated in the ridged band, inner foreskin and the frenulum.
  • MGM - Male Genital Mutilation

    Male Genital Mutilation is an accurate description of the practice of male circumcision.  A parallel to Female Genital Mutilation, both are generally performed for similar social and du
  • Mitosis

    The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides, typically consisting of four stages, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and normally resulting in two new nuclei, each of which contains a complete copy of the parental chromosomes. Also called karyokinesis.
  • Mogen Clamp

    The Mogen clamp is circumcision device used to hold and crush the foreskin after it is pulled past the glans.
  • Mohel

    Jewish ritual circumciser. Need not be a rabbi or a man. May be a doctor. Mohalot are an innovation of the Reform movement, not recognized by Orthodox Judaism.
  • Mucocutaneous Zone (Junction)

    The transitional region of skin comprising of both inner (mucosa) and outer (cutaneous) foreskin. These types of junctions occur near the orifices of the body where the external skin stops and mucosa tissue begins. 
  • Mucous Membrane

    A membrane (also called Mucosa or Mucosal tissue) that comprises the lining of various body organs, including those exposed to the external environment.
  • Mycobacterium Smegmatis

    A bacterium found in smegma, described as "avirulent" or "relatively benign". M. smegmatis has been accused (without evidence) of contributing to penile cancer. Broxmeyer found that a bacteriophage found in M. smegmatis may be effective against tuberculosis.

  • MySkinClamp

    MySkinClamp™ is a bi-directional, tapeless restoration device that creates tension on the foreskin by pushing against the glans, while pulling on a small fold of the foreskin.
  • Necrosis

    Death of tissue. (adj. necrotic). Necrosis occurs as a result of circumcision where the foreskin is crushed, such with the string used with a Plastibell.
  • Neonatal

    The period immediately following birth, newborn (adjective).
  • Neonate

    A newborn baby.  See Neonatal.
  • Neuroma

    Abnormal growth of a nerve, especially at a cut end. Neurmas are a complication of circumcision, causing confusion of sensations.
  • Neurotomy

    The severing (Neurotomy) or surgical removal (Neurectomy) of part or all of a nerve. In the 19th century, a neurotomy was performed at the base of the penis to reduce sensation of the penis, and thereby any type of sexual pleasure. Invariably, this also occurs during all types of circumcision because the nerve endings in the ridged band and the inner foerskin are removed, thereby the cause of some of the reduction of sexual pleasure of cut men
  • NOCIRC - Nat'l Org of Circumcision Info Resource Centers

    NOCIRC (National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers) is an educational non-profit organization committed to securing the birthright of male, female, and intersex children and babies to keep their sex organs intact.
  • NOHARMM - National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males

    NOHARMM (National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males) is a non-profit, educational and direct-action men's network organized against circumcision of healthy male infants and children.
  • NORM - National Organization for Restoring Men

    NORM (National Organization for Restoring Men) is a non-profit support group for men who have concerns about being circumcised, are considering foreskin restoration, or are in the process of restoring their foreskins.
  • OB/GYN

    Obstetrician/Gynecologist. A doctor specializing in the female genitalia and childbirth, but with no particular expertise in the male anatomy.  The Ob/Gyn often performs circumcisions on baby boys even though the Ob/Gyn is not the infant's doctor and will not see the infant if there are complications from the circumcision.
  • Outer Foreskin

    The outer foreskin is the part of the penile foreskin that is normally exposed when the intact foreskin is extended.
  • Overhang

    Any portion of the foreskin that extends beyond the tip of the glans. In the intact male, this referrs to the acroposthion.  In the restored male, it would be additional inner or outer foreskin that extends beyond the glans.