Bulbourethral glands
 |
| Bulbourethral gland | |
|---|---|
 Male Anatomy | |
 The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery. (Bulbourethral gland labeled at center left.) | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Urogenital sinus |
| Artery | Artery of the urethral bulb |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | glandulæ bulbourethrales |
| MeSH | D002030 |
| TA | A09.3.09.001 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
A bulbourethral gland (or Cowper's gland) is one of two small glands found in the reproductive system of human males. They are like Bartholin's glands.
Anatomy
[change | change source]Bulbourethral glands are found near the urethra at the base of the penis, between the two layers of the fascia. The bulbourethral glands are about the size of a pea. They appear to slowly get smaller as a person gets older.[1]
They are made of several lobules held together by a fibres.
Uses
[change | change source]During sexual arousal each gland makes a clear liquid known as pre-ejaculate (pre-cum). This fluid helps to lubricate the urethra for sperm to pass through. It also helps clean out any urine[2] or dirt. Despite the uses it has, it is a neglected gland that often goes overlooked.[2]
Gallery
[change | change source]
Section of bladder, penis, and urethra.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Gray's Anatomy, 38th edn, p 1861
- 1 2 A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland
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