The penis is a vital organ of perception that transmits perceived signals to ejaculation-related centers. The penis consists of the glans penis and penile shaft, which differ considerably in both histology and innervation. This paper aims to investigate whether the glans penis or the penile shaft is the main source of sensory signals from the penis and whether penile hypersensitivity affects the whole organ or only part of it. The thresholds, latencies, and amplitudes of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded in 290 individuals with primary premature ejaculation using the glans penis and penile shaft as the sensory areas. The thresholds, latencies, and amplitudes of SSEPs from the glans penis and penile shaft in patients were significantly different (all P < 0.0001). The latency of the glans penis or penile shaft was shorter than average (indicating hypersensitivity) in 141 (48.6%) cases, of which 50 (35.5%) cases were sensitive in both the glans penis and penile shaft, 14 (9.9%) cases were sensitive in the glans penis only, and 77 (54.6%) cases were sensitive in the penile shaft only (P < 0.0001). There are statistical differences in the signals perceived through the glans penis and the penile shaft. Penile hypersensitivity does not necessarily mean that the whole penis is hypersensitive. We classify penile hypersensitivity into three categories, namely, glans penis, penile shaft, and whole-penis hypersensitivity, and we propose the new concept of penile hypersensitive zone.

Keywords: neuroelectrophysiology; perceptive zone; premature ejaculation; sensitivity; sensory perception

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