[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Bulbourethral glands

[Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/)

# Bulbourethral glands

The bulbourethral glands are two pea-sized glands beside the urethra below the prostate; before ejaculation they release a clear mucus that lubricates it.

Official name: Bulbo-urethral gland

[See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=male&select=bulbourethral_glands&side=r)

Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.

## What it is

Two pea-sized glands (Cowper's glands) in the deep perineum beside the membranous urethra; their ducts open into the [spongy urethra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spongy-urethra/).

## What it does

Release a clear mucus before ejaculation that lubricates the urethra and neutralises traces of acidic urine.

## Key points

- Sit in the deep perineal pouch beside the membranous urethra, but their long ducts pierce the perineal membrane and open further forward into the bulbar urethra
- Their pre-ejaculatory mucus may carry sperm left in the urethra from an earlier ejaculation

## Key facts

**Where**
Deep perineal pouch, beside the membranous urethra within the external urethral sphincter; long ducts pierce the perineal membrane to open into the bulbar urethra

**Blood supply**
Artery of the bulb of the penis (internal pudendal)

**Nerve**
Autonomic fibres from the prostatic (pelvic) plexus

**Function**
Clear pre-ejaculatory mucus that lubricates the urethra and neutralizes traces of acidic urine; male homologue of the greater vestibular (Bartholin) glands

## Relations

**Medial**
[Membranous urethra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intermediate-part-of-male-urethra/) and the fibres of the [external urethral sphincter](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/female-external-urethral-sphincter/) that enclose them

**Below**
[Perineal membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/perineal-membrane/) and, below it, the bulb of the [corpus spongiosum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-spongiosum-of-penis/)

**Above**
Apex of the [prostate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/prostate/)

## How to find it

Not felt in health. In dissection they are pea-sized bodies in the deep perineal pouch, behind and to each side of the membranous urethra and wrapped by the external urethral sphincter; each long duct is traced forward through the perineal membrane to its opening in the floor of the bulbar urethra.

## On imaging

Not usually seen. On retrograde urethrography a dilated duct (Cowper syringocele) can fill with contrast as a tubular or cystic pouch off the bulbar urethra.

## Clinical notes

- Cowper syringocele: cystic dilation of the duct, mostly in boys and young men, which can cause dribbling after voiding, infection or obstruction
- Inflammation or abscess of the glands is rare, sometimes with urethritis, and gives deep perineal pain

## Development

Bud from the urogenital sinus (endoderm); they are the male counterpart of the greater vestibular (Bartholin) glands.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Where do the bulbourethral glands lie, and where do their ducts open?

In the deep perineal pouch beside the membranous urethra; their ducts pierce the perineal membrane to open into the bulbar urethra.

## What is the female homologue of the bulbourethral glands?

The greater vestibular (Bartholin) glands.

## What is a Cowper syringocele?

Cystic dilation of the bulbourethral duct, mostly in boys and young men, causing dribbling after voiding, infection or obstruction.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/bulbo-urethral-gland/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
glandula bulbourethralis

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Glándula bulbouretral

**English (TA2)**
Bulbo-urethral gland

**Also called**
bulbourethral gland · Cowper's gland

## Related

- [Membranous urethra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intermediate-part-of-male-urethra/)
- [Spongy urethra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spongy-urethra/)

Sources: [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Male Genitourinary Tract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562291/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Bulbourethral Glands (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain.

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbo-urethral-gland/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbo-urethral-gland/