Phimosis is best described as which of the following?

Phimosis is best described as which of the following?

• A. Inability to retract the foreskin over the glans.
• B. Painful erection due to a tight foreskin
• C. Infection of the foreskin causing edema
• D. A normal variant that typically resolves without treatment

Answer: (A)

Phimosis is defined by the inability to retract the foreskin over the glans penis. This constriction can be normal in newborns and young children and often resolves on its own as the foreskin becomes retractable with age. When it persists into adolescence or adulthood or is associated with symptoms like recurrent infections, scarring, or urinary difficulty, it may be pathologic and require evaluation. It’s important to distinguish this from paraphimosis, where a retracted foreskin cannot be returned to its normal position and can be an emergency. The other options describe related issues (painful erections from a tight foreskin, infection of the foreskin, or a normal variant that typically resolves) but don’t define the inability to retract over the glans.

Phimosis is defined by the inability to retract the foreskin over the glans penis. This constriction can be normal in newborns and young children and often resolves on its own as the foreskin becomes retractable with age. When it persists into adolescence or adulthood or is associated with symptoms like recurrent infections, scarring, or urinary difficulty, it may be pathologic and require evaluation. It’s important to distinguish this from paraphimosis, where a retracted foreskin cannot be returned to its normal position and can be an emergency. The other options describe related issues (painful erections from a tight foreskin, infection of the foreskin, or a normal variant that typically resolves) but don’t define the inability to retract over the glans.