Normal Histology of Female Genital Organs

Abstract

The anatomy of vulva covers mons pubis, ­prepuce, frenulum, clitoris, labia minora, labia major, vulvar vestibule, urethral meatus, Bartholin’s and Skene’s glands, hymen, and introitus. Squamous epithelium covers surfaces of all vulvar ­structures. Mons pubis and labia major are covered by keratinizing squamous epithelium (skin) ­associated with all types of cutaneous adnexa, including hair follicles, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands, and sweat glands. Labia minor and inward to vaginal introitus and hymen are mainly covered by nonkeratinizing squamous epithelium ­associated with no or rare sweat and sebaceous glands. Bilateral Bartholin’s glands are located ­posterolaterally in the vulvar vestibule and have ­tubuloalveolar structures, including acini of mucin-secreting columnar cells and ducts lined by transitional to squamous epithelium. There are also minor vestibular glands that are tubular and lined by mucin-secreting columnar cells. Skene’s glands are also paired glandular structures covered by ­pseudostratified mucin-secreting columnar epithelium, located closely and posterolateral to the urethra. The clitoris is covered by nonkeratinizing squamous epithelium and contains stroma that is rich in erectile vascular structures similar to corpora cavernosa of the penis.