The ducts of the greater vestibular glands are situated, one at each side of the vaginal orifice toward its posterior portion, between the hymen and the labia minora. The greater vestibular glands are two compound, racemose glands that are the homologues of Cowper's (bulbo-urethral) glands in the male, but differ from the latter in size and situation. Greater vestibular glands are placed on the deep surface of the inferior layer of the urogenital diaphragm, and are covered by a capsule formed by fibers from the deep surface of the ligament. They are placed on each side of the orifice of the vagina behind the bulbus vestibuli and about the middle of the base of the labium majus, on the deep surface of the inferior layer of the triangular ligament. They are about the size of a small bean, and measure one centimeter (three-eighths of an inch), anteroposteriorIy. Their ducts, two centimeters (seven-eighths of an inch) in length, open upon the inner aspect of the posterior part of the labia minora external to the hymen, where their orifices are marked by a small red depression at each side of the urogenital cleft. The glands are fully developed at birth but they remain small until puberty. They then enlarge and maintain their size during the period of sexual activity; after the menopause they undergo atrophy.

Glandula vestibularis major

Glande vestibulaire majeure

Grössere vestibuläre Drüse