Bartholin's gland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bartholin's gland | |
|---|---|
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| Genital organs of female. 1 - vaginal opening 2 - Bartholin's glands 3 - bulbus vestibuli 4 - vagina 5 - uterus (womb) 6 - ovaries 7 - Fallopian tubes 8 - bladder 9 - clitoris |
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| Latin | glandula vestibularis major |
| Gray's | subject #270 1266 |
| Artery | external pudendal artery[1] |
| Nerve | ilioinguinal nerve [1] |
| Lymph | superficial inguinal lymph nodes |
| Precursor | Urogenital sinus |
| MeSH | Bartholin's+Glands |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | g_06/12392850 |
The Bartholin's glands (also called Bartholin glands or greater vestibular glands) are two glands located slightly below and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina in women.
Bartholin's glands are homologous to Cowper's glands in males. However, while Bartholin's glands are located in the superficial perineal pouch, Cowper's glands are located in the deep perineal pouch.
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[edit] Secretions
While their secretion is sometimes described as being a lubrication for sexual congress, this description is a misnomer. They secrete a waxy substance of which the purpose is not fully understood, but does contain pheromones.
One discussed reason for vaginal lubrication is for deeper penetration of the penis to further stimulate both sexes. During intercourse, if there is no lubrication, this can cause pain or chafing in the vagina or penis.
[edit] Eponym
They were first described in the 17th century, by the Danish anatomist Caspar Bartholin the Younger (1655-1738). Some sources mistakenly ascribe their discovery to his grandfather, theologian and anatomist Caspar Bartholin the Elder (1585 - 1629).[2][3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b http://summit.stanford.edu/ourwork/PROJECTS/LUCY/lucywebsite/vestib_gl.html
- ^ C. C. Gillispie (ed.): Dictionary of Scientific Biography, New York 1970. See the article on Thomas Bartholin.
- ^ synd/3320 at Who Named It
[edit] External links
- SUNY Labs 41:11-0200 - "The Female Perineum: Muscles of the Superficial Perineal Pouch"
- SUNY Anatomy Image 9243
- SUNY Anatomy Image 9694 - opening
- Dictionary at eMedicine greater+vestibular+gland
