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Anatomy & histology-Cowper glands

Author: Andres Matoso, M.D.

Last author update: 1 July 2015

Last staff update: 29 November 2023

Copyright: 2003-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

PubMed Search: Cowper glands

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Cite this page: Matoso A. Anatomy & histology-Cowper glands. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/prostatecowpers.html. Accessed April 26th, 2024.

Definition / general

Cowper glands are also called bulbourethral glands because they are located surrounding the bulbar portion of the urethra, outside of the prostate

Epidemiology

Most commonly, they can be found in TURP specimens, but occasionally they may be seen in needle biopsies or in biopsies from urethral stricture

Sites

Bulbar urethra

Pathophysiology

They are the homologous of Bartholin glands in women
They secrete clear fluid prior to ejaculation that helps to lubricate the urethra and a small proportion of the fluid of the ejaculate

Microscopic (histologic) description

They are composed of mucinous acini arranged in a lobular pattern with intercalated ducts
When present in needle biopsies, they may resemble foamy gland prostate adenocarcinoma
They are surrounded by skeletal muscle, further mimicking cancer
They can be positive for prostate markers PSA, PSAP and NKX3.1
The correct diagnosis lies in recognizing the dual population of acini and ducts surrounded by skeletal muscle as opposed to benign prostatic glands
Immunohistochemistry for high molecular weight cytokeratin is positive in basal cells and can help in the differential diagnosis with prostate cancer

Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Andres Matoso, M.D. and @ThatGlassTho on Twitter