bulbourethral gland

Examples of bulbourethral gland in the following topics:

• Accessory Sex Glands

  • The accessory sex glands, including the seminal, prostate glands, and bulbourethral glands, produce seminal fluid and clean and lubricate the urethra.
  • The excretory duct of the seminal gland opens into the vas deferens as it enters the prostate gland.
  • Bulbourethral glands are located posterior and lateral to the membranous portion of the urethra at the base of the penis, between the two layers of the fascia of the urogenital diaphragm in the deep perineal pouch.
  • The bulbourethral glands are compound tubulo-alveolar glands, each approximately the size of a pea.
  • The bulbourethral gland is labeled at center left.

• Male Reproductive Anatomy

  • The bulk of the semen comes from the accessory glands associated with the male reproductive system, including the seminal vesicles, the prostate gland, and the bulbourethral gland .
  • The glands make a solution that is thick, yellowish, and alkaline.
  • The gland is a mixture of smooth muscle and glandular tissue.
  • The bulbourethral gland, or Cowper's gland, is an exocrine gland which secretes a clear fluid known as pre-ejaculate that is generated upon sexual arousal.
  • Withdrawal of the penis from the vagina before ejaculation to prevent pregnancy may not work if sperm are present in the bulbourethral gland secretions.

• Semen

  • It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and can fertilize female ova.
  • During the process of ejaculation, sperm pass through the ejaculatory ducts and mix with fluids from the seminal vesicle, the prostate, and the bulbourethral glands to form semen.
  • The bulbourethral glands secrete a clear fluid to lubricate the lumen of the urethra.

• Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System

  • They include the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands.
  • Prostate gland: A walnut-sized structure located below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum.
  • Bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands: Pea-sized structures located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland.
  • These glands produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra.
  • Fluid produced by these glands lubricates the urethra and neutralizes acidity associated with residual urine.

• Testes Ducts

  • The sperm are transferred from the vas deferens into the urethra, collecting secretions from the male accessory sex glands such as the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands, which provide the bulk of semen.

• Penis

  • Fluids are added by the seminal vesicles before the vas deferens carries the sperm to the ejaculatory ducts, which join the urethra inside the prostate gland.
  • The prostate as well as the bulbourethral glands add further secretions, then the semen is expelled through the penis.

• Contraception and Birth Control

  • The high failure rate is due to the possible presence of sperm in the bulbourethral gland's secretion, which may enter the vagina prior to removing the penis.

• Overview of the Adrenal Glands

  • In mammals, the adrenal glands (also known as the suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys.
  • In mammals, the adrenal glands (also known as the suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys.
  • In humans, the right adrenal gland is triangular shaped, while the left adrenal gland is semilunar shaped.
  • Each adrenal gland has two distinct structures, the outer adrenal cortex and the inner medulla—both produce hormones.
  • The adrenal glands are triangular-shaped organs on top of the kidneys.

• Sweat (Sudoriferous) Glands

  • Sweat glands, also known as sudoriferous glands, are distributed over most of the body surface.
  • Sweat glands, also called sudoriferous glands, are simple tubular glands found almost everywhere on our body. 
  • The other kind of sweat glands are known as apocrine glands. 
  • Unlike eccrine glands, the exact function of apocrine glands is unknown and debated. 
  • Cross sectional image of skin showing a sweat gland and a sebaceous gland.

• Overview of the Parathyroid Glands

  • The parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands in the neck that produce parathyroid hormone.
  • The parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands—approximately the size of a grain of rice—in the neck that produce parathyroid hormone.
  • Humans usually have four parathyroid glands, which are usually located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland, or, in rare cases, within the thyroid gland itself or in the chest.
  • The two parathyroid glands on each side that are positioned higher are called the superior parathyroid glands, while the lower two are called the inferior parathyroid glands.
  • The parathyroid gland in relation to the thyroid gland.