cowper's gland: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “cowper's gland” mean?
Either of a pair of small exocrine glands in the male reproductive system that secrete a clear, viscous fluid which forms part of the seminal fluid.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Either of a pair of small exocrine glands in the male reproductive system that secrete a clear, viscous fluid which forms part of the seminal fluid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The term is equally standard and used identically in both British and American medical/biological contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language, but standard in relevant professional and academic fields. 'Bulbourethral gland' is slightly more common in modern American medical textbooks, but 'Cowper's gland' remains widely understood.
Grammar
How to Use “cowper's gland” in a Sentence
The [Cowper's gland/Bulbourethral gland] secretes [a fluid/mucus]Inflammation of the [Cowper's gland] is called [cowperitis]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in academic contexts related to human/animal anatomy, reproductive biology, and medicine.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Found in medical textbooks, urology, andrology, and anatomical descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cowper's gland”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cowper's gland”
- Misspelling as 'Cooper's gland'.
- Incorrectly associating it with female anatomy.
- Mispronouncing 'Cowper' to rhyme with 'show-per' instead of 'cow-per'.
- Using it in a non-technical context where it would be unfamiliar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Cowper's glands (bulbourethral glands) are found only in the male reproductive system. Females have Bartholin's glands, which serve a somewhat analogous lubricating function.
It is named after the English surgeon and anatomist William Cowper (1666–1709), who first described them in detail, although they were likely observed earlier by others.
No, they are distinct structures. The prostate gland is larger, surrounds the urethra, and produces a major portion of seminal fluid. Cowper's glands are much smaller, pea-sized, and secrete a pre-ejaculate fluid.
No, they are internal structures located below the prostate gland and are not palpable or visible without medical imaging or surgical procedure.
Either of a pair of small exocrine glands in the male reproductive system that secrete a clear, viscous fluid which forms part of the seminal fluid.
Cowper's gland is usually technical / medical in register.
Cowper's gland: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkaʊpəz ˈɡlænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkaʊpərz ˈɡlænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'cow' 'purring'. A Cowper's gland is a small part of the male reproductive system; imagine a cow quietly purring to remember the quiet, supportive role this gland plays.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this highly technical term.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of Cowper's gland?