Question

Bartholin’s gland occurs in
A. Females and help in vestibular lubrication
B. Females and produce oestrogen for regulating secondary sexual characters
C. Males and form liquid part of spermatic fluid
D. Males and produce alkaline fluid for neutralising urethral cavity

Answer 1

Hint:-Bartholin’s gland is a pair of compound alveolar glands which are very small in size like a pea (0.5cm in size), and are oval in shape. It was discovered by anatomist Casper Bartholin Secundus in 1677, thus got its name. Its primary function is to secrete mucus.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
Bartholin’s glands are also known as vestibular glands and are present at the posterior end, each towards the left and right side of the vaginal opening, respectively. They are present in the superficial perineal pouch. An efferent duct connects each of these glands to the poster-lateral side of the orifice of the vagina. Their main function is to secrete mucus that lubricates the vagina during sexual arousal. The glands get activated after menarche and can be felt with touch (palpable).The mucus lubricates and moistens the opening of the vagina called the labia so that contact with the sensitive area of the vagina becomes comfortable. It mixes with other secretions of the vagina and forms the “lubricating fluid” of the vagina, which has a high amount of potassium and a small amount of sodium as well, making it slightly acidic (pH 4.7).
Thus the correct option is (A) Females and helps in vestibular lubrication.

Additional information:- Sometimes the Bartholin’s glands get blocked and swollen which leads to pain in that region. This condition is known as Bartholinitis, or commonly a Bartholin’s cyst. It can also get filled with pus becoming an abscess. Other conditions such as Adenocarcinoma and tumor formation are seen as rare.

Note:- Bartholin’s glands are complementary to the bulbourethral glands present in males which are present in the deep perineal pouch. They produce the pre-ejaculate fluid secreted during the sexual arousals that neutralize the acidity of the urethra making a channel for sperm cells.