Which statement about phimosis is correct?

• A. The foreskin can be retracted over the glans.
• B. Phimosis is defined as inability to retract the foreskin over the glans.
• C. It is caused by excessive hygiene.
• D. It never leads to paraphimosis.

Answer: (B)

Phimosis is defined by the inability to retract the foreskin over the glans. This is the defining feature that distinguishes phimosis from a normal, retractable foreskin, which is common in newborns and often resolves with growth. The statement that the foreskin can be retracted over the glans would indicate no phimosis, so that option is not correct. Hygiene alone does not cause phimosis; it’s more about tight foreskin or scarring from inflammation in some cases, not excessive cleaning. Paraphimosis, a potential complication where a retracted foreskin cannot return to cover the glans, can occur in this context, so the idea that phimosis never leads to paraphimosis is incorrect.