Is this normal?

[arinst1]

I'm not sure if this is normal, and I know you ladies are more knowledgeable on this topic than anyone
My almost 3 year old DS is intact.
We usually just leave it alone.
I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but the foreskin seems to be attached to the glans at the seam on the bottom side (the frenulum, I think)
He is at least partially retractable (we don't retract him, I just know it is at least partially retractable)
I normally wouldn't have noticed, but now that i did I want to make sure it is OK.
Thank you for your help!

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by arinst1

I'm not sure if this is normal, and I know you ladies are more knowledgeable on this topic than anyone
My almost 3 year old DS is intact.
We usually just leave it alone.
I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but the foreskin seems to be attached to the glans at the seam on the bottom side (the frenulum, I think)
He is at least partially retractable (we don't retract him, I just know it is at least partially retractable)
I normally wouldn't have noticed, but now that i did I want to make sure it is OK.
Thank you for your help!

Well, the frenulum will always be attached to the seam. But yes, the foreskin can be attached like that it shouldn't be a problem.

[arinst1]

Thank you for your response, I feel better!
So, does that little part get longer or unattach itself later?
I'ts kind of reminding me of the little flap of skin that attaches the underside of your tongue to your mouth, but it's holding the foreskin right up against the glans, all the way to the tip. So now I'm wondering how that ends up being retractable later in life... I don't have any first hand knowledge on the subject

[Lula's Mom]

It is exactly like the tissue that holds your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. They are both frenula (plural of frenulum).

Here's a website which will show you what the frenulum looks like when the adult foreskin is retracted (3rd picture down.) Explicit pictures for educational purposes.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by arinst1

Thank you for your response, I feel better!
So, does that little part get longer or unattach itself later?
I'ts kind of reminding me of the little flap of skin that attaches the underside of your tongue to your mouth, but it's holding the foreskin right up against the glans, all the way to the tip. So now I'm wondering how that ends up being retractable later in life... I don't have any first hand knowledge on the subject

Well, it's hard for me to picture what you're exactly talking about but you're right, the frenelum is exactly like that attachment under your tongue. The third picture the poster refers to is a good representation. Basically, the foreskin will move over and behind that point. I can't think of a good common mechanical analogy but it will do it, I know. Anyway it is also what naturally pulls the foreskin back in place. Now having said that there could still be parts of the foreskin attached to the glans around there which will keep everything in place so it could be that too.

[arinst1]

Thank you both. That website picture explains it perfectly. I was having a hard time understanding how it would allow the foreskin to ever retract.
Makes perfect sense now, the combination of your explanations and the pictures helped my understanding tremendously!

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by arinst1

Thank you both. That website picture explains it perfectly. I was having a hard time understanding how it would allow the foreskin to ever retract.
Makes perfect sense now, the combination of your explanations and the pictures helped my understanding tremendously!

You're welcome, that's why we're here.