Bartholin's gland | |
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![]() Female genital organs with Bartholin's gland opening circled | |
Details | |
Precursor | Urogenital sinus |
Artery | External pudendal artery[1] |
Nerve | Ilioinguinal nerve[1] |
Lymph | Superficial inguinal lymph nodes |
Identifiers | |
Latin | glandula vestibularis major |
MeSH | D001472 |
TA98 | A09.2.01.016 |
TA2 | 3563 |
FMA | 9598 |
Anatomical terminology |
The Bartholin's glands (named after Caspar Bartholin the Younger; 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.[3] They secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina.[3]
They 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.[3]