Bartholin's gland
Bartholin's gland
The Bartholin's glands (also called Bartholin glands or greater vestibular glands) are two pea sized compound alveolar glands[2] located slightly posterior and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina. They secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina and are homologous to bulbourethral glands in males. However, while Bartholin's glands are located in the superficial perineal pouch in females, bulbourethral glands are located in the deep perineal pouch in males. Their duct length is 1.5 to 2.0 cm and they open into navicular fossa.[2] The ducts are paired and they open on the surface of the vulva.
History
De ovariis mulierum et generationis historia epistola anatomica, 1678
Function
Bartholin's glands secrete mucus to provide vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal.[4][6][7] The fluid may slightly moisten the labial opening of the vagina, serving to make contact with this sensitive area more comfortable.[8]
Clinical pathology
It is possible for the Bartholin's glands to become blocked and inflamed resulting in pain.[8] This is known as bartholinitis or a Bartholin's cyst.[4][9] A Bartholin's cyst in turn can become infected and form an abscess. Adenocarcinoma of the gland is rare and benign tumors and hyperplasia are even more rare.[10] Bartholin gland carcinoma is a rare malignancy that occurs in 1% of vulvar cancers. This may be due to the presence of three different types of epithelial tissue.[3] Inflammation of the Skene's glands and Bartholin glands may appear similar to cystocele.[11]
See also
Skene's gland
Thomas Bartholin