bulbourethral gland

bulbourethral gland
Anat., Zool.
See Cowper's gland.

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also called  Cowper's Gland,  

      either of two pea-shaped glands in the male, located beneath the prostate gland at the beginning of the internal portion of the penis; they add fluids to semen during the process of ejaculation (q.v.). The glands, which measure only about 1 cm (0.4 inch) in diameter, have ducts that empty into the urethra, the tube through which both urine and semen pass. They are composed of a network of small tubes, or tubules, and saclike structures; between the tubules are fibres of muscle and elastic tissue that give the glands structural support. Cells within the tubules and sacs contain droplets of mucus, a thick protein compound. The fluid excreted by these glands is clear and thick and acts as a lubricant; it is also thought to function as a flushing agent that washes out the urethra before the semen is ejaculated; it may also help to make the semen less watery and to provide a suitable living environment for the sperm. See also prostate gland; seminal vesicle.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bulbourethral gland — Male Anatomy The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery …   Wikipedia

  • bulbourethral gland — n COWPER S GLAND …   Medical dictionary

  • bulbourethral gland — [bul΄bə yo͞o rē′thrəl] n. COWPER S GLAND …   English World dictionary

  • bulbourethral gland — noun either of two glands that discharge a component of seminal fluid into the urethra; homologous to Bartholin s gland in the female • Syn: ↑Cowper s gland • Hypernyms: ↑exocrine gland, ↑exocrine, ↑duct gland • Part Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • bulbourethral gland — noun Etymology: Latin bulbus bulb + English urethral Date: circa 1903 Cowper s gland …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • bulbourethral gland — noun An exocrine gland which secretes a clear fluid known as pre ejaculate or Cowper’s fluid (colloquially known as “pre cum”) which is generated upon sexual arousal. Syn: Cowper’s glands …   Wiktionary

  • duct of bulbourethral gland — ductus glandulae bulbourethralis …   Medical dictionary

  • gland — An organized aggregation of cells functioning as a secretory or excretory organ. SYN: glandula (1) [TA]. [L. glans, acorn] accessory g. a small mass of glandular structure, detached from but lying near another and larger g., to which it is… …   Medical dictionary

  • bulbocavernous gland — bulbourethral gland glandula bulbourethralis …   Medical dictionary

  • Cowper's gland — Cow·per s gland .kau̇ pərz , .kü pərz , .ku̇p ərz n either of two small glands of which one lies on each side of the male urethra below the prostate gland and discharges a secretion into the semen called also bulbourethral gland, gland of Cowper… …   Medical dictionary

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