Fraternity Manuals

Skene's gland

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In human anatomy, the Skene's glands (also known as the lesser vestibular or paraurethral glands) are glands located on the upper wall of the vagina, around the lower end of the urethra. They drain into the urethra and near the urethral opening. The location of the Skene's glands is also known as the Gräfenberg spot or G-spot; the general area is the urethral sponge. The Skene's glands are homologous with (that is to say, the female equivalent of) the prostate gland in males.

Some believe that the Skene's glands are the source of female ejaculation.

In 2002, Emanuele Jannini of L'Aquila University in Italy showed that there may be an explanation both for the phenomenon and for the frequent denials of its existence. Skene's glands have highly variable anatomy, and in some extreme cases they appear to be missing entirely. If Skene's glands are the cause of female ejaculation and vaginal orgasms, this may explain the observed absence of these phenomena in many women.

The milky fluid that emerges during female ejaculation is alleged to have a composition similar to the fluid generated in males by the prostate gland.

According to some sources, forceful orgasms with clear liquids are actually instances of urinary incontinence that occur with orgasm. The physiological reason for such reactions is a composite of the relaxation effects of an orgasm as well as high stress on the bladder resulting from the need to urinate.

Sue Johanson, noted sex educator, believes otherwise. She teaches that the clear liquid is g-spot fluid, secreted by the Skene's glands, and released in large quantity in conjunction with a G-spot orgasm. She notes that the fluid is clear, smells sweet, and does not stain, making it fundamentally unlike urine. Of course, this fails to account for the fact that the contents and properties of urine do not remain constant. Diet, vitamins, amount of water consumed, and health of the person are just a few of the factors that can alter the properties (including, but not limited to, the color and smell) of urine. Additionally, it has been shown that some women do leak urine during orgasm, the spasms sometime forcing the urine out like a jet, similar to male ejaculate.

The glands were named after the physician who described them first, Alexander Skene.

See also

External links


Reproductive system
Female: Cervix - Clitoris - Clitoral hood - Fallopian tubes - Bartholin's glands - G-spot - Hymen - Labium - Mammary glands - Ovaries - Skene's glands - Urethra - Uterus - Vagina - Vulva
Male: Bulbourethral glands - Ejaculatory duct - Epididymis - Foreskin - Frenulum - Glans penis - Penis - Prostate - Scrotum - Seminal vesicles - Spermatic cord - Testes - Urethra - Vas deferens
de:Prostata feminina

fr:Glandes de Skene lt:Skeno liauka ja:スキーン腺

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