The Bartholin's glands are two small, superficial glands situated on either side of the opening of the vagina. Their role is to secrete lubricating liquid near the entrance of the vagina, one or two drops each, when a woman is aroused.
It was once thought that the Bartholin's glands played a major part in vaginal lubrication, but research has shown that the amount of liquid secreted is too small for this to be the case. It is now believed that their role is to lubricate the entrance of the vagina to make contact with that area more comfortable for the woman. The Bartholin's glands can become infected or irritated, although this is relatively uncommon.
