Accessory/Tyson's glands

Dr.,

Just a curiosity question about accessory/Tyson's glands I've heard about.  First, can you explain what these glands do and where they're located on the penis?  Second, can these get infected with STD's or other bacteria?  WHat would the symptoms be?  

Thanks for your input-I've been on the forum before and find it very helpful on some often embarassing topics for people.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Tyson's glands are vestigial, i.e. no useful function.   They probably secrete a small amount of mucus that in theory might (in some distant past evolutionary ancestor) have contributed to sexual lubrication or odor marking.  They are invisible in most men, but the tiny openings are on each side of the urethra (penile opening), toward the underside of the penis.  And yes, occasionally they can become infected with gonorrhea and perhaps other STDs, but it is rare.  The symptom of a tyson's gland infection would be a pimple-like red bump in the location I just described.

Regards--  HHH, MD