Skene's gland

Paraurethral glands of the human female genitourinary system

General Information
Latin	glandulae paraurethrales
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System	Urinary system, Reproductive system
Artery	Internal pudendal artery
Vein	Internal pudendal vein
Nerve	Pudendal nerve, Pelvic nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor	Urogenital sinus
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

Skenes_gland

The Skene's glands, also known as the paraurethral glands, are small, mucous-secreting exocrine glands located on the anterior wall of the vagina, near the lower end of the urethra. These paired glands are considered homologous to the prostate gland in males and may play a role in female sexual response, including female ejaculation.

Anatomy and Location

Skene's glands are situated on either side of the urethral opening, embedded in the anterior vaginal wall. Their ducts empty into the urethra or directly into the external urethral orifice. These glands originate embryologically from the urogenital sinus, similar to the male prostate, and they contain tissues that are responsive to androgens.

Function

The primary function of the Skene’s glands is the secretion of a clear, lubricating fluid, which is released into the urethral area. While their precise role is not fully understood, they are believed to:

• Contribute to urethral and vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal.
• Play a role in antimicrobial defense mechanisms in the urogenital tract.
• Participate in female ejaculation, although the extent and consistency of this role remain a subject of ongoing research.

These glands have also been found to produce a substance containing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), further supporting their homology to the prostate.

Clinical Significance

Anatomy of female sexual organs, including Skene's glands

Skene’s glands may become clinically significant in the following conditions:

• Skene's duct cyst: Obstruction of the gland’s ducts can lead to cyst formation, which may be asymptomatic or cause discomfort, urinary obstruction, or infection.
• Skene's gland abscess: Infections may result in abscess formation, requiring antibiotic treatment or surgical drainage.
• Paraurethral carcinoma: Rare malignancies can arise from the Skene’s glands, occasionally mimicking urethral cancers.
• Skeneitis: Inflammation of the Skene's glands, sometimes associated with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Research and Controversies

The Skene’s glands have been the subject of anatomical and physiological research, particularly regarding:

• **Female ejaculation**: Some studies suggest Skene’s glands are responsible for the fluid expelled during female orgasm, although not all women exhibit this phenomenon.
• **G-spot**: Anatomically, Skene’s glands are located in the same region as the proposed G-spot (Gräfenberg spot), a purported erogenous zone. However, the scientific consensus on the existence and exact nature of the G-spot remains inconclusive.
• **Prostate-like function**: Ongoing research explores the extent to which Skene’s glands function similarly to the prostate, especially in regard to enzyme secretion and response to hormonal stimulation.

Medical Relevance

Awareness of Skene’s glands is important in the context of:

• Diagnosis and management of urethral or periurethral masses in females.
• Understanding causes of dyspareunia (painful intercourse) or lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Sexual medicine and counseling, particularly regarding female orgasm and ejaculation.

History

The glands are named after **Dr. Alexander Johnston Chalmers Skene**, a Scottish-American gynecologist, who first described them in 1880 in his seminal work on female urogenital anatomy. His description helped differentiate Skene's glands from the surrounding urethral and vaginal structures.

See also

• Gynecology
• Sexual health
• Clitoris
• G-spot
• Bartholin's gland
• Female ejaculation
• Female reproductive system
• Human female endocrine system