Editing Bartholin's gland (section)

== Structure ==
The embryological origin of the Bartholin's glands is derived from the [[urogenital sinus]]; therefore, the innervation and blood supply are via the [[pudendal nerve]] and [[pudendal arteries|external pudendal artery]], respectively. The [[superficial inguinal lymph nodes]] and pelvic nodes provide lymphatic drainage.<ref>Omole F, Simmons BJ, Hacker Y. Management of Bartholin's duct cyst and gland abscess. Am Fam Physician 2003;68:135–40.</ref>

These glands are pea-sized (0.5–1.0&nbsp;cm) and are lined with [[columnar epithelium]]. The duct length is 1.5–2&nbsp;cm and is lined with [[squamous epithelium]]. These are located just beneath the fascia and their ducts drain into the vestibular mucosa. These mucoid alkaline secreting glands are arranged as lobules consisting of alveoli lined by cuboidal or [[columnar epithelium]]. Their efferent ducts are composed of [[transitional epithelium]], which merges into squamous epithelium as it enters the distal vagina. The more proximal portions of the ductal system are lined by transitional epithelium and may be lined by columnar epithelium before arborization into glandular secretory elements.<ref>Quaresma C, Sparzak PB. Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, Bartholin gland. StatPearls. [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan 24.</ref>

These glands lie on the [[perineal membrane]] and beneath the [[bulbospongiosus muscle]] at the tail end of the [[vestibular bulb]] deep to the posterior [[labia majora]]. The intimate relation between the enormously vascular tissue of the vestibular bulb and the Bartholin's glands is responsible for the risk of [[hemorrhage]] associated with the removal of this latter structure.<ref>DeLancey JO. Surgical anatomy of the female pelvis. In: Jones HW, Rock JA, eds. Te Linde’s Operative Gynecology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2015:93-122.</ref>

The openings of the Bartholin's glands are located on the posterior margin of the [[Vaginal opening|introitus]] bilaterally in a groove between the [[hymen]] and the [[labium minus]] at the 4:00 and 8:00 o'clock positions. The glands duct opening is seen on the posterolateral aspect of the vestibule 3 to 4&nbsp;mm outside the hymen or hymenal caruncles lateral to the hymenal ring.<ref>Hoffman B.L., Schorge J.O., Schaffer J.I., Halvorson L.M., Bradshaw K.D., Cunnigham F.G., Calver L.E. (2012). Chapter 38. Anatomy. In B.L. Hoffman, J.O. Schorge, J.I. Schaffer, L.M. Halvorson, K.D. Bradshaw, F.G. Cunnigham, L.E.  Calver (Eds), Williams Gynecology, 2e.</ref>