The relationship between flaccid phallus length, height and foot length in Nigeria: A cadaveric study

Abstract

Aim: The knowledge of normal size of the external genitalia is of considerable interest. There is a folk myth regarding the relationship of penile size to body height and foot length. This study is aimed at determining the relationship between phallus length and height as well as phallus length and foot lengths in Nigeria. Material and Methods: This study was conducted using 80 randomly selected cadavers/dead bodies from hospitals and gross anatomy laboratory of universities irrespective of their age differences; with no evidence of penile abnormalities/deformities. Twelve human subjects were used to validate the cadaveric results. Data from the human subjects was self-recorded. Standard measurement processes were observed to obtain the following parameters; flaccid penile length, height, right foot length and left foot length. Results: Results shows that in cadaveric subjects the mean penile length was 12.32±1.98 SD (range 8-17cm), the mean height was 172.88±10.82 (range 151-217cm), the mean of the right foot was 24.61±1.72 SD (range 21-28) and the mean of the left foot length was 24.76±19.80 SD (range 19-35cm). While in the human subjects the mean penile length was 11.57±2.56 SD (range: 8-14) and the mean height was 176.00±5.12 (range: 168-184). In the human subjects there was a positive correlation between the penile length and height (r=0.587; P=0.045). Conclusion: In the cadaveric study there was no significant correlation between phallus length, height and foot length.