When the penis is aroused, the bulbourethral glands produce amucussecretion that adds lubricating factors to the ejaculate.
Theyre also known as Cowpers glands.
Anatomy
Location
The bulbourethral glands lie below theprostate glandin the deep perineal pouch.
Theyre made up of a data pipe of small ducts (tubes) and sac-like structures called alveoli.
Ducts from the bulbourethral glands empty into the urethra.
What Is the Urethra?
Theurethrais a duct that carries urine from the bladder to where its expelled from the body.
In male anatomy, it also is the conduit through which ejaculate (semen) exits the body.
Their nerve supply comes from sympathetic fibers of the hypogastric nerve.
Along with the prostate gland andseminal vesicles, the bulbourethral glands secrete components of semen.
The bulbourethral glands have a few known anatomical variations.
Some people have extra bulbourethral glands farther up inside the penis.
These glands secrete a fluid thats similar to that of the primary bulbourethral glands.
In rare cases, a male embryo doesnt develop one or both of these glands.
When both glands fail to develop, its sometimes due to agenetic mutation.
Function
The bulbourethral glands function during sexual arousal.
It doesnt contain sperm, which are produced in the testicles.
However, it can contain sperm that remained in or leaked into the urethra after a previous ejaculation.
Cowpers fluid generally accounts for less than 1% of the total ejaculate.
The bulbourethral glands typically get smaller as you age.
Also called Cowpers duct cyst, syringocele is suspected of being congenital (present at birth).
Its somewhat common in children and rarely diagnosed in adults.
Depending on their location and size, they may be asymptomatic or painful.
In most cases of syringocele, the cyst goes away on its own.
In rare cases, they may causeabscesses.
If the stones dont cause symptoms, they can generally be left alone.
In symptomatic cases, though, treatment generally involves surgical removal of the gland itself.
Bulbourethral gland stones are most often diagnosed via pelvic ultrasound.
However, this is very rare.
Typically, cancerous growths will cause narrowing of the urethra and they may or may not involve bloody discharge.
Other symptoms may include pelvic pain and rectal discomfort.
Suspected adenocarcinoma of the gland can be confirmed with abiopsy.
Treatments generally includeradiationand surgery, butchemotherapymay be useful in some cases.
Summary
The bulbourethral glands are small glands that lubricate the urethra and tip of the penis.
They also contribute fluids to semen.
Problems within the glands are extremely rare.
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