What are the small mucous glands located near the male urethra called?

The correct answer refers to Cowper's glands, which are small mucous glands located near the male urethra. These glands play an important role in male reproductive physiology. They secrete a clear fluid that serves several functions, such as lubricating the urethra and neutralizing acidity, helping to create a more favorable environment for sperm to survive during ejaculation. This pre-ejaculatory fluid may also aid in the movement of sperm through the urethra.

In contrast, the other options represent different structures within male and female reproductive systems. For instance, the prostate gland, located below the bladder, produces a significant portion of seminal fluid, but it is larger and not positioned specifically near the urethra as Cowper's glands are. Seminal vesicles produce seminal fluid as well but are located further from the urethra. Bartolin's glands, on the other hand, are found in females and serve a similar lubricating purpose, making them irrelevant to the question regarding male anatomy. Understanding the specific roles and locations of these glands is crucial in the study of human anatomy and physiology.