Organ
Bulb of the vestibule
Paired erectile tissue beside the vaginal opening
High-yield
Vestibular bulbs flank the vaginal opening; clitoral crura follow the ischiopubic rami. Both participate in the vascular erectile response.
Overview
The vestibular bulbs lie on either side of the vaginal opening beneath bulbospongiosus. They are closely connected with the clitoral erectile complex and attach to the perineal membrane. Their position around the vestibule distinguishes them from the paired clitoral crura along the pubic arch.
Reference facts
- Location
- In the superficial perineal region lateral to the vaginal opening, deep to bulbospongiosus and inferior to the perineal membrane.
- Parts
- Paired elongated vascular bodies connected anteriorly with the clitoral complex; dimensions and shape vary.
- Blood supply
- Branches to the vestibular bulbs arise from the internal pudendal arteries.
- Innervation
- Autonomic cavernous fibers regulate engorgement; pudendal branches serve sensation and the overlying perineal muscles.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Veins communicate with internal pudendal and vaginal drainage. Regional vulval lymph reaches inguinal nodes, with deeper connections varying across the clitoral and perineal tissues.
- Relations
- Vaginal opening medially, bulbospongiosus superficially, perineal membrane superiorly and greater vestibular glands posterolaterally.
- Function
- Enlarge with vascular engorgement during arousal and contribute to the response of tissues around the vaginal opening.
Clinical correlation
The bulbs' vascularity contributes to the potential for perineal or vulval hematoma after trauma or childbirth. The greater vestibular glands lie near their posterior ends, linking these neighboring structures on examination and imaging.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the bulb of the vestibule located?
In the superficial perineal region lateral to the vaginal opening, deep to bulbospongiosus and inferior to the perineal membrane.
What does the bulb of the vestibule do?
Enlarge with vascular engorgement during arousal and contribute to the response of tissues around the vaginal opening.
What are the parts of the bulb of the vestibule?
Paired elongated vascular bodies connected anteriorly with the clitoral complex; dimensions and shape vary.
What is the blood supply of the bulb of the vestibule?
Branches to the vestibular bulbs arise from the internal pudendal arteries.