Cowper's (Bulbourethral) Glands
About a quarter of an Inch below the Prostate Glands, I found two other small Glands placed on, each side the Urethra a little above the Bulb of its Cavernous Body: These Glands are of a deprest Oval Figure, not exceeding the magnitude of a small French Bean - William Cowper 1699
HWN Suggests
A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland
Cowper's glands are pea sized glands present inferior to the prostate gland in the male reproductive system. They produce thick clear mucus prior to ejaculation that drains into the spongy urethra. Though it is well established that the function of the Cowper's gland secretions is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, knowledge regarding the various lesions and associated complications of this gland is scarce.
Articles of Interest
An Overlooked Function of Bartholin's and Cowper's Glands
In the male and female of all the higher animals, in connection with the sexual system, are found two sets of homologous glandular organs, much of the importance of whose office seems hitherto to have been overlooked. These are Bartholin's glands in the female and Cowper's glands in the male. The fact that Bartholin's glands supply a mucus for the lubrication of the entrance to the vagina during sexual excitement, and that Cowper's glands secrete a mucous fluid which acts in part as a vehicle for the seminal discharge has long been noted. But each has a supplementary office in connection with the discharge of the urine,to which, so far as I know, reference has never been made, though one of distinct importance.
Anatomy of Cowper’s gland in humans suggesting a secretion and emission mechanism facilitated by cooperation of striated and smooth muscles
Our findings indicate that the secretion and emission of the Cowper’s gland in humans are carried out through the cooperation of striated and smooth muscles.
What are Bulbourethral Glands?
Also known as Cowper's glands (named for English anatomist William Cowper), the bulbourethral glands are two small glands in the reproductive system of male humans, and many male mammals, that produce and secrete a pre-ejaculate fluid called Cowper's fluid, known colloquially as “pre-cum”. This fluid is secreted during sexual arousal in order to prepare the man’s urethra for the passage of sperm. The urethra has high levels of acidity, so the fluid from the bulbourethral glands help protect the sperm by creating a more neutral environment in the urethra.
What is pre-ejaculatory fluid (also known as pre-cum), and can it cause pregnancy?
Even though pre-ejaculate fluid comes from the ‘Cowpers gland’ (and not from testes like semen), some fluid can contain live sperm. A number of researchers believe this is a ‘cross-contamination’ from semen that may be present in the urethra from a previous sexual encounter, as both the pre-ejaculate fluid and semen pass through the urethra.
William Cowper
1699 – William Cowper presented the first detailed description of the structure, topography and function of the bulbourethral glands.
Resources
TeachMe Anatomy
The bulbourethral glands (also known as Cowper’s glands) are a pair of pea shaped exocrine glands located posterolateral to the membranous urethra. They contribute to the final volume of semen by producing a lubricating mucus secretion.
What is pre-ejaculate or precum?
Pre-ejaculate, sometimes called precum, is a clear fluid that is released when a man becomes sexually aroused, but before he ejaculates. Sometimes, it can be seen at the tip of the penis, but many men don’t even notice it. The fluid is produced by a pair of pea-sized glands called the Cowper’s glands, located near the urethra, a tube in the penis with a dual purpose: allowing urine and semen to exit the body. Pre-ejaculate fluid neutralizes any acidity left by urine in the urethra, protecting sperm that flows through.
