Overview
Skene's glands, also called paraurethral or lesser vestibular glands, are small paired glands located on the anterior vaginal wall near the lower end of the urethra. They open at or near the urethral meatus and are often discussed in relation to urethral lubrication and the phenomenon commonly called female ejaculation. The area around their openings has been associated with the so-called Gräfenberg spot, often abbreviated as the G-spot, though the anatomical and functional significance of that region remains debated.

Anatomy and structure

The glands consist of microscopic ducts and secretory tissue situated in the vestibular and periurethral tissues. Each gland drains through one or more small ducts that empty along the urethra or at its opening. Because they are small and variable in size from person to person, they are not always visible on routine examination but can be identified by imaging or during surgical procedures.

Function and physiology

Skene's glands are believed to contribute to local lubrication and may secrete a fluid that, in some people, is expelled during sexual stimulation. Biochemical studies have identified markers in that secretion that are similar to those produced by the male prostate, supporting the idea that these glands are the female homologues of the prostate. The precise role of their secretions in sexual response is still an area of active study and occasional controversy.

Clinical significance

Although normally small and harmless, Skene's glands can be involved in a few medical problems. Common issues include:

  • Obstruction of ducts leading to cyst formation (Skene's gland cyst).
  • Infection or abscess, which may cause pain, swelling, or urinary symptoms.
  • Contribution to urethral diverticula or persistent urethral drainage in some cases.

Treatment depends on the condition: uncomplicated infections are treated medically, whereas persistent cysts or abscesses may require drainage or surgical excision. When evaluating lower urinary tract symptoms or a periurethral mass, clinicians consider the possibility of Skene's gland disease.

History, terminology and notable facts

The glands are named after Alexander Skene, a 19th-century physician who described them in clinical literature. Because of their developmental pathway, they are homologous to the male prostate and can share some biochemical markers. Discussions about the G-spot often mention the glands and their ducts, but scientific opinion varies about the existence of a distinct anatomical structure that corresponds to a universal erogenous zone. For further clinical descriptions and patient information see clinical overview, anatomical reviews at anatomy resources, sexual health summaries at sexual health, diagnostic imaging guides at imaging, and historical notes at biographical source.