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Tyson noted macroscopic lesions on the corona In the most recent edition of Gray's Anato
of the penis, interpreting them as the source of my of the Human Body it is stated3:
smegma. Later authors described the same lesions Scattered glands are present on the neck of
under such terms as papillomatosis corona penis. the penis and inner layer of the prepuce, the
Though the connective tissue nature of the papil- preputial glands (Tyson). They secret a seba
lomatous protrusions was recognized, they did ceous material of very peculiar odor, which
not equate the condition with that previously ob- readily undergoes decomposition; when mixed
served by Tyson. with discarded epithelial cells it is called smeg
Since Tyson had used the term "gland," micro- ma.
scopists who found ectopic sebaceous glands on The purpose of this communication is to
the glans and prepuce referred to them as Tyson's
clarify the natureof the lesions which Tyson
glands, although they are not what Tyson de- observed and which are not glandular, and
scribed. Neither papillomatosis corona penis nor
to consider glandular structures which he
ectopic sebaceous glands appear to play a role
in the formation of smegma; papillomatosis is not did not observe, but which have been attrib
glandular and smegma is not a secretion. It is uted to him.
suggested that the term Tyson's glands be re-
placed by the appropriate descriptive expressions: Papillomatosis Corona Penis
papillomatosis corona penis or ectopic sebaceous
glands. On the corona of the penis, and also on
the adjacent sulcus, there is often seen an
incomplete circle of skin-colored, white, or
J. N 1694 William Cowper wrote1: pink, papillomatous excrescences (color Fig
In that part where the Praeputium is contig 1 and 2). These areusually hemispheric
uous to the Balanus, my very good Friend that papules, though they may have acuminate
Judicious Anatomist, Dr. Tyson, has Discov or cylindrical form, they tend to be of fairly
ered certain small Glands which he calls
. . .
uniform size in any particular patient and of
from the great scent their separated Liquor no more than 3 mm in diameter. They are
emits, Glandulae Odoriferae; their Number is arranged in about one to five rows, are
uncertain; in those that have the Praeputium more densely distributed on the dorsal coro
longer than ordinary, they are not only more, nal edge, often converging to a single row on
but also larger, and separate a greater quantity
of the Juice, which being lodged there, often
the lateral margins, and disappearing to
grows Acrid and corrodes the Glans.
ward the frenulum. Occasionally the papules
In are seen neflr the frenulum, sometimes even
1904, Keith
and Shillitoe commented2:
in the absence of coronal involvement.
. failed to find any trace of Tyson's glands
. we
which have been described in every text-book
.
On microscopic examination, varying pro
of anatomy published since Tyson's time. To portions of fibrous and angiomatous prolif
quote from the latest edition of Quain's Anato eration are to be seen (Fig 1). Sebaceous
my: 'Numerous sebaceous glands are collected and other glandular structures are absent.
round the cervix of the penis and corona glan- We have found these lesions in nearly one
dis; they are named the glands of Tyson or quarter of a group of over 200 men attend
glandulae odoriferae, their secretions having a ing a dermatology clinic for unrelated prob
peculiar odour.' It shows the strength of the lems. Most patients are unconcerned about
faith of anatomists that they have for nearly two
centuries described glands which have not, and their condition; those who are aware of it
never had, an existence. usually state that it has been present for as
long as they can remember. In some cases
Accepted for publication July 8, 1968. the lesions had been previously diagnosed
From the Beth Israel Medical Center New York and treated as warts.
(Dr. Hyman) and McDonald Army Hospital Fort Papillomatosis corona penis is nearly al
Eustis, Va (CPT Brownstein).
Reprint requests to 2 W 87th St, New York 10024 ways asymptomatic and rarely requires
(Dr. Hyman). treatment. The application of podophyllin is
Fig 3.Sebaceous glands and milial cysts of Fig 4.Ectopic sebaceous glands of the pre
the shaft of the penis. puce.