When the
foreskin separates from the glans, skin cells are shed. This begins in childhood and continues through the teen
years. New skin cells regularly replace the ones that are shed. Since this shedding takes place in a closed space - with the
foreskin covering the glans - the shed skin cells work their way along the penis through the tip of the foreskin. These discarded skin cells may look like
whitish lumps, resembling pearls, under the foreskin. These whitish lumps are called smegma. Specialized glands, called Tyson''s Glands, located under the foreskin are largely inactive in childhood. At puberty, Tyson''s Glands produce an oily substance, which, when mixed with skin cells, make up adult smegma. Adult smegma serves as a protective lubricator for the glans and the foreskin