The Bartholin's glands named after Thomas Bartholin ; 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. Bartholin's glands were first described in the 17th century by the Danish anatomist Caspar Bartholin the Younger — Bartholin's glands secrete mucus to provide vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal.

NCBI Bookshelf. John D. Nguyen ; Hieu Duong. Authors John D. Nguyen 1 ; Hieu Duong. The female external genitalia is fascinating due to the fact it is made up of both urinary tract and reproductive structures.

These include the breasts and the vulva, which consists of the mons pubis, clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, and the vestibular glands, all illustrated in Figure 1. The location and functions of the female reproductive organs are summarized in Table 1. The vulva is an area associated with the vestibule which includes the structures found in the inguinal groin area of women. The mons pubis is a round, fatty area that overlies the pubic symphysis. The clitoris is a structure with erectile tissue that contains a large number of sensory nerves and serves as a source of stimulation during intercourse.

The growths, or papillae, occur in a line or as symmetrical patches on the labia minora — smaller inner folds — on both sides of the vulva. They can also occur in the vestibule, which is the opening of the vagina surrounded by the labia minora. The papillae can be smooth, round bumps or finger-like projections.