A recent case report details the astonishing discovery of a man with three penises, a condition known as triphallia. The finding, made during a cadaveric dissection in the UK, marks only the second recorded instance of this extremely rare anatomical anomaly. The first case, documented just four years prior, involved a three-month-old infant in Iraq. This latest discovery is the first known occurrence of triphallia in an adult.
The deceased man, described as a white male, approximately six feet tall, of medium to large build, and 78 years old at the time of death, initially appeared to have normal external genitalia. However, upon dissection, researchers discovered two additional penises located internally. The man’s primary penis, through which his urethra ran, appeared typical externally. A secondary, smaller penis, also connected to the urethra, contained the standard penile tissues: the corpus cavernosum, corpus spongiosum, and glans. A third penis, positioned behind the second, lacked a urethral connection and corpus spongiosum.
Three PenisesFigure illustrating the man’s unique genital anatomy. Numbers 18, 10, and 6 indicate the three penises. © Buchanan, et al/Journal of Medical Case Reports
The researchers noted, “This case report, following an extensive literature review, describes the serendipitous discovery during cadaveric dissection of the second reported human case of triphallia, morphologically distinct from the previous case.”
While cases of supernumerary organs (having extra organs) exist, they usually involve just one additional organ. Multiple penises are believed to result from genetic mutations affecting androgen receptor expression during early development. The researchers hypothesize that a triplication of the genital tubercle, the tissue from which the penis develops, may have occurred in this case. Their analysis suggests the urethra initially began developing from the secondary penis but, due to incomplete development, shifted its course to the primary penis.
Due to cadaver donation regulations, the researchers lacked access to the man’s identity and medical history, limiting their understanding of how this condition impacted his life. The outwardly normal appearance of his genitalia raises the possibility that both the man and his partners remained unaware of the anomaly. However, conditions like multiple penises can often lead to urinary obstructions or erectile dysfunction.
The researchers documented a previous groin hernia repair, a procedure typically involving catheterization. Given the man’s unusual urethral anatomy, catheterization would likely have been challenging, potentially revealing his condition. It’s also plausible that the additional penises, if capable of erection, may have caused discomfort during intercourse.
The researchers also speculate that, “if his defect had been noticed during his life, it may have simply been left untouched due to the apparent lack of symptoms and its benign nature.”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210261220310245
https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13256-024-04751-5
