Balanitis

Inflammation of the rounded head (the glans) of the penis. Inflammation of the foreskin is called posthitis. In the uncircumcised male, balanitis and posthitis generally occur together as balanoposthitis: inflammation of both the glans and foreskin.

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Inflammation of the glans penis or clitoris. [G. balanos, acorn, glans, + -itis, inflammation]

- b. circumscripta plasmacellularis SYN: plasma cell b..

- b. diabetica glanular inflammation in diabetics related to urinary infection or concomitant posthitis.

- plasma cell b. benign circumscribed b. characterized microscopically by subepithelial plasma cell infiltration and clinically by small erythematous papular lesions. SYN: b. circumscripta plasmacellularis.

- b. xerotica obliterans lichen sclerosus et atrophicus of the glans penis, which may result in meatal stenosis.

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bal·a·ni·tis .bal-ə-'nīt-əs n inflammation of the glans penis

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n.

inflammation of the glans penis, usually associated with tightness of the foreskin (phimosis). It is more common in childhood than in adult life. An acute attack is associated with redness and swelling of the glans. Treatment is by antibiotics, and further attacks are prevented by circumcision. In Zoon's plasma cell balanitis persistent shiny red patches develop on the glans; the cause is unknown. Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is an autoimmune condition characterized by ivory-white patches on the glans.

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bal·a·ni·tis (bal″ə-niґtis) [balan- + -itis] inflammation of the glans penis; it is usually associated with phimosis.