Accessory Sexual Glands
Author: Dr.R.Menaka
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These glands open into the
urethra.
They includes
a. Seminal Vesicles
b. ProstateGland
c. Bulbo urethral or Cowper's Gland.
Seminal Vesicles:
It is absent in carnivores
It appears as compact lobulated
glands in ruminants.
Lobules are separated by heavy
smooth muscle septa.
It is paired tubulo-alveolar
gland
The glandular epithelium is
lined by pseudo stratified tall columnar cells.
The tunica mucosa is thin
and shows primary folds which branch into secondary and tertiary folds.
Tunica muscularis and tunica
serosa also present (externally).
Prostate Gland:
It consists of tubulo-alveolar
glands.
Covered by thick capsule which
penetrate into the gland and divided in to many lobules.
The secretory units or
alveoli are lined by columnar epithelium.
c. Cowper's Gland or Bulbourethral Glands:
Absent in carnivores.
Each is lobulated compound
tubulo acinar gland.
It is covered by a fiberous
capsule.
Secretory units may be tubular
or alveolar type.
Lining epithelium may be cuboidal or columnar cells.
Smaller ducts are lined by
simple columnar epithelium and main ducts by stratified
columnar epithelium.
It is mucous type of secretion
which serves to clear the urethra of urine and to lubricate it.
Urethral Glands:
In some species, branched
tubular mucous glands are found along the length of the urethra, especially
dorsal to the lumen of the urethra. The exact function of their product is not
clear.
Ampulatory Glands:
It is present in the terminal
part of the vas deferens.
Branched tubular gland lined by
simple columnar epithelium. Ruminants, horse and dog- Typical forms
Boar- Poorly developed
Cat- absent
The function of the white serous
secretion is not known.