The question of whether women have a prostate is complex, yet the answer is generally yes, though not in the exact anatomical form found in men. While the male prostate is a single, walnut-sized gland surrounding the urethra, women possess a structure that shares the same embryological origin and many of the same biochemical properties. This female equivalent is a collection of glandular tissue historically known by various names. Understanding this structure requires looking beyond simple nomenclature to its location, history, and physiological function. This glandular system in women is now widely recognized as the paraurethral glands, often referred to in a functional context as the female prostate.
The Female Paraurethral Glands
The female prostate is anatomically described as the paraurethral glands, which are a pair of small, branching glandular structures located along the urethra in women. These glands are situated just inside the opening of the urethra, often at the ten and two o’clock positions, and they are embedded in the tissue that surrounds the urethra itself. Ducts lead to openings near the urethral meatus, the external opening of the urethra.
These structures are considered homologous to the male prostate gland, meaning they develop from the same embryonic tissue, specifically the urogenital sinus. The paraurethral glands and the male prostate share a common developmental blueprint, establishing a deep biological symmetry. Anatomical studies show that the female glands consist of tubuloalveolar tissue that is similar in architecture to the glandular tissue of the male prostate. This glandular tissue is often surrounded by connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers.
The paraurethral glands are typically small, and their size and distribution can vary significantly from one woman to another. They are not a single, large organ like the male prostate, but rather a collection of ducts and associated glandular tissue.
Why The Confusion Over Naming Exists
The confusion surrounding the name of this structure stems from centuries of scientific debate and historical oversight. The glands were first described in the Western medical literature as far back as 1672 by the Dutch anatomist Reinier de Graaf. However, the structures were later named after the Scottish gynecologist Alexander Skene, who wrote about them in 1880, leading to the widely adopted term “Skene’s Glands”.
Skene’s description focused primarily on the ducts near the urethral opening, which caused the broader glandular complex to be incorrectly viewed as a minor or vestigial structure for many years. This initial narrow focus inhibited further investigation into the full extent and function of the glandular tissue. For much of the 20th century, the glands were largely regarded as insignificant, rudimentary relics of embryonic development.
A major shift occurred in the 1980s when immunohistochemical studies provided convincing evidence of the glands’ biochemical similarity to the male prostate. Researchers demonstrated that the female glandular tissue produced the same unique proteins found in the male prostate, challenging the idea that the structure was merely rudimentary. This functional and biochemical evidence, combined with the established embryological link, led to a re-evaluation of the structure’s status.
In 2002, the Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology (FICAT) formally recognized the term “female prostate” as an official synonym for the paraurethral glands in its histological terminology. While “Paraurethral Glands” remains the anatomically descriptive term preferred in many medical contexts, “female prostate” is used to emphasize its shared biological properties and functional role.
Biological Role and Secretions
The primary function of the paraurethral glands is rooted in their secretory capacity, which confirms their classification as a prostate equivalent. These glands produce a fluid that contains several unique biochemical markers typically associated with the male reproductive system. The most notable of these secretions are Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP).
The presence of PSA and PAP within the paraurethral gland tissue and its secretions provides strong functional evidence of homology with the male prostate. PSA is a protein commonly used as a marker for the male prostate, and its expression in the female glands indicates a specialized secretory function. Early research confirmed that the paraurethral glands were positive for PSA and PAP, demonstrating a consistent enzyme and antigen profile.
The fluid produced by the glands is a viscous, milky-white secretion, typically released in small amounts. This secretion is believed to serve several purposes, including the lubrication of the urethral opening, which helps maintain local tissue health. Some research also suggests the fluid contains antimicrobial properties, which may help protect the lower urinary tract from certain infections.
The paraurethral glands are also the source of fluid expelled during female ejaculation, which is physiologically distinct from the phenomenon often colloquially called “squirting”. Female ejaculate is characterized as a few milliliters of thick fluid that originates directly from these glands and contains high concentrations of PSA and PAP. Furthermore, the fluid contains high concentrations of glucose and fructose, mirroring components found in male seminal fluid. The expression of these specific enzymes and proteins highlights the paraurethral glands as a functional genitourinary organ.