Is There A Penis Bone?
The Origins and Evolution of the Penis Bone
Understanding the Term "Boner"
The term "boner" often leads people to wonder if there's actually a bone in the penis. This question stems from a lack of comprehensive sex education. To clarify, no, there is no bone in the human penis, at least not anymore.
Historical Context
Our evolutionary ancestors had penis bones until about 1.9 million years ago. Known as the baculum, this bone is still found in many placental mammals, including rodents, hedgehogs, dogs, bears, and more. The baculum varies greatly in size and shape across different species.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum even showcases this diversity, featuring the world's largest collection of penises and items like penis-themed waffles. The museum displays a hamster’s 2mm penis bone under a magnifying glass, highlighting the baculum's incredible variation.
Primates and the Baculum
Most primates, including our closest relatives like chimpanzees and other great apes, have a penis bone. However, humans, spider monkeys, and woolly monkeys are exceptions. This suggests that our ancestors likely had a baculum but lost it over time. Rare instances of humans being born with vestigial penis bones support this theory.
Evolutionary Changes and Monogamy
The evolution of monogamy in humans played a significant role in the disappearance of the penis bone. Unlike many animals that practice polygamy and face intense competition during mating, humans developed complex social structures and longer gestation periods. These changes reduced the need for a penis bone to maintain prolonged copulation for competitive reasons.
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