Urethral gland

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Glands of Littré)

Urethral gland (also known as Littré's glands) are small, tubuloalveolar exocrine glands located in the urethra. They are named after the French anatomist, Alexis Littré, who first described them in the 18th century.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The urethral glands are found along the entire length of the male and female urethra, but are more numerous in the proximal part of the urethra. They are embedded in the urethral mucosa and open into the urethral lumen. The glands are lined by columnar or cuboidal epithelium and are surrounded by a thin layer of connective tissue.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the urethral glands is to secrete mucus. This mucus serves to lubricate the urethra and facilitate the passage of urine. In addition, the mucus may have a protective role by preventing the adherence of pathogens to the urethral epithelium.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Inflammation of the urethral glands, known as urethritis, can occur due to bacterial or viral infections. This can result in symptoms such as pain during urination, increased frequency of urination, and discharge from the urethra. Treatment typically involves antibiotics or antiviral medications.

In rare cases, the urethral glands can give rise to benign or malignant tumors. These include adenomas, carcinomas, and transitional cell carcinomas. Diagnosis is usually made through histological examination of biopsy samples, and treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD