Bulbourethral Glands
The bulbourethral glands are paired glands that discharge their secretion into the caudal end of the urethra. They are present in all the domestic species except the dog.
Horse (Figure 15.1): These paired, oval glands are relatively small (5 cm).
They are located beneath the urethral muscle where the pelvic urethra bends around the ischium. They are compound glands and empty into the urethra just caudal to the prostatic duct.Ox (Figure 15.4): The bulbourethral glands of the ox are located at same site as in the horse, but they are smaller and have only one duct each. They are partly covered by the strong bulbospongiosus muscle. The bulbourethral glands produce a secretion that enters a diverticulum of the urethra located just caudal to the ischial arch. This secretion helps to flush the urethra prior to ejaculation.
Pig (Figure 15.7): These paired glands are very large in this species. They are cylindrical in shape (12 cm) and lobulated. They are compound glands with one duct each.
Sheep: These glands are similar to those of the ox but are relatively large. They open by a single duct in the dorsal wall of the urethra.
Dog (Figure 15.9) and cat (Figure 15.11): These glands are absent in the dog. They are present in cat; they are paired and pea-sized (see Figure 15.11).
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