What people fail to realize is that, by adulthood, the prepuce (foreskin) becomes a large area of skin. Research published in 1996 by Dr. John Taylor has shown the prepuce to be densely nerve-laden and highly erogenous.

The illustration at the left depicts an intact (non-circumcised) adult penis. The tip of the glans (penile head) is visible through the foreskin opening. Most of the glans, however, is under the protective (but retractable) cover of the foreskin.

By calculating the amount of penile skin removed during adult circumcision, we can better understand the potential erogenous tissue lost during infant circumcision.

This ventral view (underside) of the penis illustrates the foreskin being cut away from the penis.

Above: In the average adult male, the length of foreskin from its base (marked by this circular line) to its tip
is about 1½ inches (4cm), while the circumference (distance around) is about 5 inches (13cm).

Below: The fold of foreskin consists of two layers: an outer layer of epidermal tissue (like that of the rest of the body) and an inner layer of mucosal tissue (as in the vagina, mouth or inner eyelid). Each layer is about 1½ inches (4cm) in length. If laid flat (right), the average adult foreskin would measure approximately 3 inches by 5 inches (8cm x 13cm); or about 15 square inches (104cm²). Research published in 1998 by Werker, et al confirmed that the surface areas of two adult foreskins were 60cm² and 90cm² respectively (10 square inches and 14 square inches).

Above: Dr. Taylor's research indicates that after being
circumcised in infancy, the average circumcised man
has lost 51% or more of his penile skin.

Neuroanatomist Dr. Ashley Montagu states that an area of "normal" skin the size of a quarter (U.S. 25-cent piece) contains more than 12 feet (3.66m) of nerves and over 50 nerve endings.* The illustration at right shows that at least 15 U.S. quarters can fit upon the area of tissue represented by an average adult foreskin. Infant circumcision likely deprives the adult male of about 240 feet (73.2m) of nerves and over 1,000 nerve endings. Since Dr. Taylor's research suggests that the foreskin is more densely nerve-laden than "normal" skin, a circumcised man likely loses many times more than 1,000 nerve endings.

* Montagu A., Matson F. The Human Connection. NY: McGraw Hill 1979

Above: An average adult foreskin comprises an area of tissue large enough to comfortably lay 15 U.S. quarters.

The N.O.R.M. site has a useful educational aide that you can create to help others to understand this concept.