the numerous mucous-secreting glands found in several female mammalian species (including rodents and humans) on the anterior wall of the vagina, around the lower end of the urethra, and possessing a common paraurethral duct which opens (on each side) near the external urethral orifice; they are homologous with the prostate gland in males, have highly variable anatomy, and are believed to be the source of the female ejaculate, a lubricating fluid with a similar consistency to male prostatic fluid that is expelled through the urethra during sexual stimulation; like the male prostate, these glands are susceptible to infection (skenitis), cyst development, and cancer [ http://www.informatics.jax.org/accession/anna ]