The Female Prostate: Understanding Skene's Glands as the Homologous Structure to the Male Prostate
The female equivalent of the prostate is the Skene's glands (also called the female prostate or paraurethral glands), which are histologically homologous to the male prostate and share similar immunohistochemical properties.
Anatomical and Histological Characteristics
The female prostate consists of glandular tissue located in the anterior vaginal wall surrounding the urethra. This tissue has several key features:
- Located in the periurethral region, below the bladder and surrounding the distal urethra 1
- Composed of tubuloalveolar glandular structures similar to those found in the male prostate 2
- Contains secretory cells that express prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase, the same markers found in male prostatic tissue 1, 3
- Produces a secretion that contains components similar to male prostatic fluid 4
Scientific Evidence Supporting the Term "Female Prostate"
The use of the term "female prostate" rather than "Skene's glands" is supported by substantial scientific evidence:
- Immunohistochemical studies show PSA expression in the specialized apically-superficial layer of secretory cells in both female and male prostatic tissue 1
- The female prostate tissue has similar morphology, histochemistry, and physiological roles to the male prostate 3
- This tissue appears to be involved in female sexual response, producing secretions during sexual arousal 3, 4
Clinical Significance
Understanding the female prostate has important clinical implications:
- The female prostate can develop pathological conditions similar to those affecting the male prostate, including carcinoma 1
- It is the principal source of PSA in women, though in smaller quantities than in men 1
- May play a protective role against urinary tract infections through antimicrobial secretions 4
- Potential involvement in female sexual function, with possible implications for sexual dysfunction when damaged 3
Embryological Basis
Both male and female prostatic tissues develop from the same embryonic structures:
- Both develop from the urogenital sinus during embryonic development
- Differentiation occurs under hormonal influence, with the tissue developing more extensively in males under androgenic stimulation
- Despite different developmental trajectories, the homologous nature of the tissues is preserved 3
Why "Prostate" is the Preferred Term
The scientific community increasingly favors using "female prostate" over "Skene's glands" for several reasons:
- Using "Skene's glands" incorrectly implies that it's a different structure rather than the homologous equivalent of the male prostate 1
- The term "Skene's glands" promotes the misconception that this is a vestigial organ with no significant function 1
- The structural, functional, and pathological similarities between male and female prostatic tissue justify using the same terminology 1, 3
Common Misconceptions
Misconception: Women don't have prostatic tissue Reality: Women have prostatic tissue that is homologous to the male prostate, though typically smaller in size
Misconception: Skene's glands are unrelated to the male prostate Reality: They are the embryological and functional equivalent, with similar histology and biochemical markers
Misconception: This tissue has no function in women Reality: Evidence suggests it plays roles in sexual function and possibly urinary tract protection 3, 4
The evidence clearly supports that the Skene's glands represent the female prostate, sharing important structural and functional characteristics with the male prostate despite differences in size and development.