The bulbourethral glands (or Cowper's glands) secrete a clear fluid known as pre-ejaculate or Cowper's fluid (colloquially known as "pre-cum") which is generated upon sexual arousal. They are two small rounded and somewhat lobulated bodies of the male human about the size of peas located behind and lateral to the membranous portion of the urethra. They are also between the two layers of the fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. They are enclosed by the transverse fibers of the sphincter urethrae membranaceae.

The excretory duct of each of these glands are approximately 2.5 cm long. These ducts pass forward beneath the mucous membrane on the floor of the cavernous portion of the urethra about 2.5 cm in front of the urogenital diaphragm.

Structure

Each and every gland is made up of several lobules, held together by a fibrous investment. Each lobule consists of a number of acini, lined by columnar epithelial cells, opening into one duct, which joins with the ducts of other lobules outside the gland to form the single excretory duct.

Trivia

Cowper's glands in males are homologous to Bartholin's glands in females.

They (apparently) gradually diminish in size as age advances.

Glands | Andrology | Exocrine system | Male reproductive system

Cowperova žláza | Bulbourethraldrüse | Glándulas bulbouretrales | Glande de Cowper | Kuperio liauka | Cowperse klier | 尿道球腺 | Gruczoły opuszkowo-cewkowe | Glândula bulbouretral | Mehurčasta žleza | Cowpers körtlar