Slicer (Penis)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Slicer
A slicer refers to an anatomical anomaly in which those afflicted with the condition are born with and retain an additional opening (other than the urethra) in the glans penis (commonly referred to as the "head") of the penis. While this condition is rare and largely unrecognized, an increasing amount of cases are being discovered and reported, primarily in the United States.[1] The additional “slice” has been noted to be above or below the urethra, as well as semi-connected to it, so as to form a figure 8. Wherever the extra hole may be located, it serves no additional purpose and continues to baffle scientists and doctors alike.
The origin of the extra aperture is currently unknown, although some scientists speculate that all male Homo sapiens may have at one time possessed a slicer. These scientists claim that the extra hole may have once served to carry semen during ejaculation, providing an alternative passage to the urethra. Over time, however, humans evolved to only possess one opening (the urethra) in the glans penis, with this opening serving to carry both urine and semen.[2] Thus, according to this theory, the anomalous slicer in today’s world would be regarded as a vestigial structure. However, there is great dispute over this theory, and very little evidence, if any, has been found to support it.
The most common theory pertaining to the mysterious origin of the slicer pertains to the surgery performed during circumcision. Some doctors claim that, after circumcision, skin bridges can occasionally form in sheets of skin, often leaving an extra hole.[3] While this may account for some of the cases of reported slicers, evidence thus far has proven inconclusive as to whether or not this is the only cause.
Click here for an image of a slicer: [[1]]
[edit] References
1. http://williamcalvin.com/BrainForAllSeasons/
![[1]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Slicer.JPG){kind=link}