Doctors say a man from Birmingham was born with three penises, an extremely rare condition called “triphallia.” They claim he is “only the second person ever proven” to have it.

What doctors found

According to the medical report, “Just one of the three were functional.” The other two were “attached within the skin of the scrotal sac,” and one extra penis had no urethra.

How it was discovered

The condition was not identified during his life. It was found only after the 78-year-old “donated his body to science upon his death.” Researchers believe he may have lived his entire life unaware of his “remarkable anatomical variation.”

How rare is it?

University of Birmingham doctors said “one in every five to six million boys is born with more than one penis,” and that “just over 100 cases of diphallia – two penises – [have been] recorded worldwide.” They add that triphallia has been documented far less often, with this case considered the second verified example.

Possible health impact

The journal authors suggested the man may have experienced “functional deficits,” potentially including urinary issues, sexual dysfunction, or fertility problems, because the additional penises lacked normal structures.