Function

Bartholin's glands (Pic. 1) secrete mucus to provide vaginal lubrication. Bartholin's glands secrete relatively minute amounts of fluid when a woman is sexually aroused. The fluid may slightly moisten the labial opening of the vagina, serving to make contact with this sensitive area more comfortable for the woman.

Anatomical structure

The vaginal opening is located between the opening of the urethra and the anus. It is flanked by outlets to the Bartholin’s glands. BGs are located in the superficial perineal pouch. Their duct length is 1.5 to 2.0 cm and open into navicular fossa. The ducts are paired and they open on the surface of the vulva.

Pathology

Although unusual, it is possible for the Bartholin's glands to become irritated or infected, resulting in pain. Inflammation of these glands can be caused by but not limited to gonorrhoeal and chlamydial infections and is called bartholitis. If the duct becomes obstructed, a Bartholin's cyst can develop, and a Bartholin's cyst in turn can become infected and form an abscess. Adenocarcinoma of the gland is rare, but benign tumors and hyperplasia are even more rare.

Find more about related issues

Diagnoses
Vaginismus

A physical or psychological condition in which woman cannot engage in any form of vaginal penetration.

Vagina
Vagina

Sex organ that is a part of the female genital tract having two primary functions: sexual intercourse and childbirth.

Gallery

Sources

“Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System” ―sourced from OpenStax College licensed under CC BY 4.0 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11496/latest/
“Bartholin's gland” ―sourced from World Heritage Encyclopedia licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
“Bartholin's gland” ―sourced from Wikipedia licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
“Skenes gland” ―by Nicholasolan licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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