Urethral recess in male goats, sheep, cattle, and swine

A recess of the urethra formed by a fold of tissue containing the ducts of the bulbourethral glands in male goats, cattle, sheep, and swine was investigated by anatomic dissection. The shape, size, and location of the fold and recess are described, along with their relationship to the ducts of the bulbourethral glands. The fold and recess in male ruminants are compared with those in male swine. Clinicians should be aware of the recess, because it may block the passage of a urethral catheter into the lumen of the bladder. They also should be aware of the possibility of a urethral recess in any animal species that has a fibroelastic-type penis. The fold that creates the recess may function as a check valve to aid in evacuation of the small diameter urethra found associated with that type of penis.