Difference Between Bulbourethral Gland and Prostate Gland

The key difference between bulbourethral gland and prostate gland is that the bulbourethral gland is a pea-sized small gland located just below the prostate gland, but a prostate gland in a walnut-sized gland located below the urinary bladder in the male reproductive system.

Bulbourethral gland and prostate gland are two types of accessory sex glands found in the male reproductive system. These glands arise from the urethra. Both glands secrete their fluids into semen while ejaculation. Therefore, they add substances to the semen. Bulbourethral glands are pea-sized structures, and there are two glands. They are located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure located below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bulbourethral Gland (Cowper’s Gland)
3. What is Prostate Gland
4. Similarities Between Bulbourethral Gland and Prostate Gland
5. Side by Side Comparison – Bulbourethral Gland vs Prostate Gland in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Bulbourethral Gland (Cowper’s Gland)?

The bulbourethral gland (or the Cowper’s gland) is a pea-sized structure that is an accessory gland of the male reproductive system. There are two glands located on the sides of the urethra, just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear slippery fluid, which is squeezed into the semen during ejaculation. The fluid lubricates the urethra and is able to neutralize any acidity in the semen.

In marsupials, there are three glands of bulbourethral glands. Moreover, their sizes differ among mammals. Bulbourethral glands of humans are small while they are large in rodents, elephants, and some ungulates.

What is Prostate Gland?

Prostate gland is an accessory gland that is vital for the proper functioning of the male reproductive system. It is a walnut-sized structure. It located just below the bladder in front of the rectum. The prostate gland produces a fluid that and adds into the ejaculate, so it adds some substances to the semen. In fact, prostate fluid nourishes the sperms. Moreover, this fluid protects sperms and helps to keep sperms alive and more mobile.

Prostatic fluid contributes to 30% of the total fluid ejaculated. It also contains several ingredients, including enzymes, zinc, and citric acid. During ejaculation, prostate gland contracts and closes the opening between the bladder and urethra prevents the occurrence of both urination and ejaculation at the same time. Prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, and prostatitis are several medical conditions associated with the prostate gland.

What are the Similarities Between Bulbourethral Gland and Prostate Gland?

• Bulbourethral gland and prostate gland are found in the male reproductive system.
• They are accessory glands of the male reproductive system.
• They produce fluids essential for motility, nourishment, and protection of sperm.
• The bulbourethral gland is located beneath the prostate gland.
• During ejaculation, both glands add their fluids to the semen.

What is the Difference Between Bulbourethral Gland and Prostate Gland?

The bulbourethral gland is a pea-sized muscular gland that acts as an accessory gland of the male reproductive system and adds a fluid into semen. Meanwhile, the prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure that acts as an accessory gland of the male reproductive system in adding some ingredients to the semen during ejaculation. So, this is the key difference between bulbourethral gland and prostate gland.

Moreover, the bulbourethral gland is located between the prostate gland and the penis, while the prostate gland locates between the bladder and the penis. So, this is another significant difference between bulbourethral gland and prostate gland. Besides, bulbourethral fluid accounts for 10% of the total semen, while prostate fluid accounts for 30% of the total semen fluid.

Summary – Bulbourethral Gland vs Prostate Gland

Bulbourethral gland and prostate gland are two accessory glands of the male reproductive system. They produce fluids essential for the motility, nourishment, and protection of sperm. However, the bulbourethral gland is a pea-sized structure located on the side of the urethra, just below the prostate gland. But, the prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure located just below the bladder in front of the rectum. So, this summarizes the difference between bulbourethral gland and prostate gland.

Reference:

1 Newman, Tim. “Prostate: Functions, Diseases, and Tests.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 11 Jan. 2018, Available here.
2. Kent, George C. “Male Systems.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1 June 2018, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bulbourethral gland — high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “PROSTATE GLAND ENLARGED?” By Richard King (Public Domain) via Flickr