ABSTRACT
The vagina is a potentially tubular organ lined by stratified squamous epithelial cells. There are no mucus-secreting cells within the vaginal epithelium; mucus is produced by the periurethral glands, Skene’s glands, and the glands that exit from the medial inferior aspect of the labia minora, known as Bartholin’s glands. The discharge found within the vagina arises from a transudate secreted through the vaginal epithelium and from the cervix. Therefore, the vaginal discharge is a composite of fluid, cells, and cellular debris that is derived from the vaginal transudate and cervical secretions, as well as fluid secreted from the endometrium and fallopian tubes. The average amount of vaginal discharge a woman of reproductive age not on hormonal therapy produces on a daily basis is 1-3 g1.
