Vestibular bulbs

The vestibular bulbs are unpaired organs consisting of two bulbs that are made of soft subcutaneous erectile tissue conglomerates similar to the male penile bulb of the corpus spongiosum. However, their shape and location are different.

The vestibular bulbs are situated on either side of the vestibule of vagina, and their posterior endings are located at the level of the posterior part of the vaginal orifice.

The organ is horseshoe-shaped with a relatively thin middle part and two elongated lateral parts called bulbs.

Both bulbs are located in the base of the labia majora, and lateral to them are the crura of the clitoris. They both connect and join in the middle part (this part is also called pars intermedia), between the glans clitoris (anterior) and the external urethral orifice (posterior).

The vestibular bulbs are oval-shaped and about 1 - 1.4 inches (2.5 - 3.5 cm) in length. The bulbs are connected with the greater vestibular glands at their expanded posterior endings, while their superficial surface is covered by the fibers of the bulbospongiosus muscle.

The bulbs contain venous plexuses and have a similar function to the clitoris. Because of the many venous plexuses, the vestibular bulbs also will become engorged with blood and swelled during sexual arousal. As they lie close to the clitoris, the engorgement will pressure the clitoris, inducing a pleasant sensation.

Greater vestibular glands

The greater vestibular glands, also called the Bartholin's glands or bulbovestibular glands, are two pea-sized glandular organs located in the posterior part of the vulva on either side of the vaginal orifice.

They are located in the fibers of the deep transverse perineal muscle, while their superficial surfaces are covered by the fibers of the bulbospongiosus muscle.

The greater vestibular glands are homologous to the bulbourethral glands in males.

Each gland has a duct, around 0.6 - 0.8 inches (1.5 - 2 cm) long, which opens in the vestibule of the vagina.

The mucus-like secretion produced by the Bartholin's glands moisturizes and lubricates the mucous membranes of the vulvar vestibule and the vagina.

Note: These glands are not palpable.

Lesser vestibular glands

The lesser vestibular glands, also known as the Skene's glands or paraurethral glands, are paired glands located on the posterolateral aspect of the external urethral orifice.

The ducts of the Skene's glands open into the urethra and the vestibule of the vagina near the external urethral orifice.

Because of their structure, the lesser vestibular glands are homologous to the male prostate gland.

The secretion produced by the Skene's glands lubricates the vulvar vestibule and external urethral orifice, and it has antimicrobial properties as it prevents urinary tract infections.

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Vestibular bulbs, greater and lesser vestibular glands

Vestibular bulbs﻿

Vestibular bulbs