The opening of the Bartholin’s ducts are situated in the
A. Vagina
B. Uterus
C. Superficial perineal pouch
D. Vestibule
Correct Answer: D. Vestibule
Explanation: The openings of the Bartholin’s ducts are situated in the vestibule of the vagina, specifically on the posterolateral aspects of the vaginal orifice(i.e., between the labia minora and the hymenal ring, roughly at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions when viewed with the patient in lithotomy position).
More precisely:
• They are located just external to the hymen
• In the groove between the hymen/labia minora and the labia majora
• Below and lateral to the vaginal opening
This places them within the vulval vestibule, not inside the vaginal canal itself.
Other Option Details
Here are clear, accurate anatomical descriptions of all the options:
A. Vagina
• A muscular, elastic canal that extends from the external vaginal opening (at the vestibule) to the cervix of the uterus.
• Approximately 8–12 cm long in adults.
• Lies between the urethra anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly.
• Functions: receives the penis during sexual intercourse, serves as the birth canal, and is the passageway for menstrual flow.
• Walls are lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and contain rugae (transverse folds) that allow distension.
• B. Uterus
• A hollow, thick-walled, pear-shaped muscular organ located in the pelvis between the bladder (anteriorly) and rectum (posteriorly).
• Divided into: fundus (upper part), body (main part), isthmus, and cervix (lower narrow part that projects into the vagina).
• Normal position: anteverted and anteflexed.
• Layers: endometrium (inner mucosal layer that thickens and sheds during menstruation), myometrium (thick smooth muscle), perimetrium (outer serosal layer).
• Functions: site of implantation, fetal development during pregnancy, and menstruation when pregnancy does not occur.
• C. Superficial perineal pouch (superficial perineal space)
• A anatomical compartment located in the urogenital triangle of the perineum (below the pelvic diaphragm and above the skin).
• Bounded by the perineal membrane (inferiorly: deep boundary), Colle’s fascia, and the skin of the perineum.
• Contents in females:
• Ischiocavernosus muscles
• Bulbospongiosus muscles
• Superficial transverse perineal muscles
• Bartholin’s (greater vestibular) glands
• Body of clitoris, crura of clitoris, bulbs of vestibule
• Branches of pudendal nerve and internal pudendal vessels
• Clinically important because infections or hematomas can collect here (e.g., Bartholin’s gland abscess).
D. Vestibule (vestibule of vagina)*
• The external space/area immediately outside the vaginal opening, bounded laterally by the labia minora.
Structures that open into the vestibule:
• Urethral opening (anteriorly)
• Vaginal opening (posteriorly)
• Two openings of Bartholin’s (greater vestibular) glands (posterolaterally on either side of vaginal orifice)
• Multiple minor vestibular glands
• In virgins, the hymen (thin mucosal fold) partially covers the vaginal opening into the vestibule.
• Lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
• Sensitive area involved in sexual arousal and lubrication.
Summary of relationships:
The vestibule (D) is the most external structure → opens into the vagina (A) → which leads to the cervix and uterus (B). The superficial perineal pouch (C) is the subcutaneous compartment that contains the erectile tissues and glands that surround and open into the vestibule.
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Writer: Vandita Singh, Lucknow (GS India Nursing Group)