Cowper’s glands . These structures are named after the English anatomist and surgeon William Cowper (c.1666-1709), who first described them. They originate as evaginations of the epithelium, which lines the urogenital sinus. Its secretion neutralizes urine , in addition to lubricating the urethra prior to ejaculation . They are ectodermal structures originating from the bulbomembranous urethra that arise from the 12th week of intrauterine life and drain through a 3-4 mm duct that runs obliquely with a paramedian hole in the bulbar urethra.
Summary
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- 1 Location and function
- 2 Diseases that affect these glands
- 1 Diagnosis
- 2 Treatment
- 3 Sources
Location and function
Cowper’s glands, or Mery-Cowper’s glands, are located on both sides of the urethra (outer canal of the penis ) in men . The function of these glands is to excrete the pre-ejaculatory fluid. The amount of this colorless liquid is variable according to each man. Their first function is to lubricate the penis before sexual intercourse. Its passage through the urethra also allows the passage of sperm to be prepared : the pre-ejaculatory fluid will clean the remains of urine, which is very acidic. Normally, the pre-ejaculatory fluid does not contain sperm. But he is a carrier of HIV in people with AIDSand it can contaminate your sexual partners. The preseminal or pre-ejaculator fluid is the colorless, viscous fluid secreted by the Cowper’s glands or bulbouretal glands and expelled outside by the penile urethra before ejaculation occurs.
Diseases that affect these glands
It is generally incidental, however they can suffer from infections, malignancies and congenital disorders. The most frequently isolated microorganisms are [[Escherichia coli, [[Neisseria gonorrhoeae and [[Chlamydia trachomatis. The main malignant and benign tumor conditions involving this gland, its diagnosis, treatment and differential diagnoses will be covered below. disorders.
Diagnosis
The initial evaluation is to determine the characteristics of urination. The high index of suspicion in a male patient justifies the examination using non-invasive diagnostic methods. The [[ultrasound (transrectal or perineal) allows visualizing the presence of a closed cystic lesion in the region of Cowper’s glands. In the case of open siringocele, the ultrasound findings must be confirmed with antegrade and retrograde urethrography. When the results of urethrography.
Treatment
In asymptomatic CS, watchful waiting should be adopted. Although most symptomatic syringoceles require surgery, conservative treatment for a period of time is prudent, as symptoms may resolve spontaneously (for example, after treatment of urinary infection). Recently, the intervention through endoscopy.
