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# Bartholin glands

The Bartholin glands are two pea-sized glands at the back of the vaginal opening; they make fluid that moistens the vulva, and a blocked duct forms a cyst.

Official name: Greater vestibular gland

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## What it is

Two pea-sized glands at the back of the vaginal opening (Bartholin glands), with ducts that open into the vestibule.

## What it does

Make fluid that moistens the vestibule.

## Key points

- A blocked duct gives a cyst, and an infected one an abscess, felt as a swelling in the lower part of one labium at about 4 or 8 o'clock
- Normally neither seen nor felt; a new solid lump here in a postmenopausal woman is evaluated to rule out a (rare) gland cancer
- Ducts open into the vestibule in the groove between the hymen and the [labia minora](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-minus-of-vulva/), at the back on each side

## Key facts

**Where**
Pea-sized glands at the posterior ends of the vestibular bulbs (about 4 and 8 o'clock); ducts open into the vestibule beside the vaginal orifice

**Blood supply**
Artery of the bulb of the vestibule (internal pudendal)

**Nerve**
Perineal branch of [pudendal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pudendal-nerve/); parasympathetic secretomotor fibres

**Function**
Secrete mucus during arousal; homologue of the [bulbourethral glands](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbo-urethral-gland/); duct blockage = Bartholin cyst/abscess

## Relations

**Superficial**
The [bulbospongiosus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbospongiosus-muscle/) and the posterior end of the vestibular bulb

**Deep**
The [perineal membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/perineal-membrane/) (the gland lies in the superficial perineal pouch)

**Medial**
The vaginal orifice and the hymen

**Behind**
The [superficial transverse perineal muscle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-transverse-perineal-muscle/) and the [perineal body](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/perineal-body/)

## How to find it

Normal glands cannot be felt. A cyst or abscess is felt between a finger just inside the vaginal opening and a thumb on the outer labium, at the lower lateral edge of the introitus; the duct opening may be seen as a tiny pore there.

## On imaging

Normal glands are small and usually not seen. On ultrasound or MRI a Bartholin cyst is a well-defined fluid sac in the lower posterolateral vulva at the vaginal opening, bright on T2 MRI; an abscess has a thick wall and surrounding oedema, and ultrasound can guide drainage. A solid mass here, especially after menopause, is studied with MRI and biopsy.

## Common problems

- A blocked duct makes a Bartholin cyst; if infected it becomes a painful abscess.

## How it is diagnosed

Examination.

## Treatment

- Warm sitz baths; drainage with a small catheter or marsupialisation; antibiotics when needed.

## Clinical notes

- Abscesses are often polymicrobial; sexually transmitted organisms are found in some
- Drainage that keeps a new opening (a small balloon catheter left in place, or marsupialisation) recurs less than simple incision
- Excision of the gland is reserved for recurrent cases, as it can bleed from the vestibular bulb

## Development

Forms from the urogenital sinus; the homologue of the bulbourethral glands of the male.

## Related conditions

- [Bartholin gland cyst and abscess](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/bartholin-gland-cyst-and-abscess/)
- [Gonorrhoea](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gonorrhoea/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Where is a Bartholin cyst or abscess felt?

In the lower part of one labium, at about 4 or 8 o'clock on the introitus.

## Why is a new solid lump at the Bartholin gland in a postmenopausal woman evaluated?

To rule out a rare Bartholin gland cancer; normal glands are neither seen nor felt.

## Which drainage methods for a Bartholin abscess recur less than simple incision?

Those that keep a new opening: a small balloon catheter left in place, or marsupialisation.

## What is the male homologue of the Bartholin glands?

The bulbourethral glands.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
glandula vestibularis major TA2 3563

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Glándulas vestibulares mayores DeCS D001472

**English (TA2)**
Greater vestibular gland

**Also called**
bartholin's glands · glandulae Bartholini · Bartholin's gland · Duverney's gland · Tiedemann's gland

## Related

- [Vestibule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vestibule-of-vagina/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=1494&filter=ths_termall&q=Gl%C3%A1ndulas%20Vestibulares%20Mayores); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Bartholin Gland](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557803/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/greater-vestibular-gland/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/greater-vestibular-gland/