Paraurethral glands of female urethra

The paraurethral glands (Skene's glands) are mucussecreting glandular structures that surround the female urethra, predominantly located in the submucosal layer along the distal twothirds of the urethra. They are considered the embryologic and functional homologue of the male prostate gland.

The paraurethral glands are embedded within the connective tissue of the anterior vaginal wall and periurethral tissue. They consist of branching ducts and acini that open into the urethral lumen or near the external urethral meatus.

Histologically, they contain glandular epithelium with endocrineparacrine (APUD) cells, which are most numerous within the paraurethral ducts.

The glands are innervated by autonomic nerve fibers.