Male accessory gland
Male accessory gland is a term used in the field of anatomy and physiology to refer to the glands associated with the male reproductive system. These glands are responsible for the production of various components of semen, excluding sperm. The male accessory glands include the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "accessory" is derived from the Latin word "accessorius", meaning additional. In this context, it refers to the glands that are not directly involved in the production of sperm, but play a crucial role in the functioning of the male reproductive system.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the male accessory glands is to produce and secrete fluids that combine with sperm to form semen. These fluids serve several important functions, including providing nutrients for the sperm, protecting the sperm from the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract, and helping to transport the sperm during ejaculation.
Seminal Vesicles[edit | edit source]
The seminal vesicles are a pair of glands located behind the bladder. They produce a thick, yellowish fluid that is rich in fructose, a type of sugar that provides energy for the sperm.
Prostate Gland[edit | edit source]
The prostate gland is a small, walnut-sized gland that surrounds the urethra. It produces a thin, milky fluid that helps to neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract, increasing the chances of sperm survival.
Bulbourethral Glands[edit | edit source]
The bulbourethral glands, also known as Cowper's glands, are two small glands located below the prostate. They produce a clear, slippery fluid that lubricates the urethra and neutralizes any residual acidity from urine.
Related Terms[edit | edit source]
- Semen: The fluid that is ejaculated during orgasm, which contains sperm and the fluids produced by the male accessory glands.
- Ejaculation: The process by which semen is expelled from the body through the penis.
- Sperm: The male reproductive cells that are produced in the testes and are capable of fertilizing a female egg to result in pregnancy.
| Male accessory gland Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
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 |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
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
