In anatomy, the urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. The urethra has an excretory function in both sexes, to pass urine to the outside, and also a reproductive function in the male, as a passage for sperm.
The external urethral sphincter is the skeletal muscle that allows voluntary control over urination.
Table of contents |
2 Histology 3 Medical problems of the urethra |
Not surprisingly men have a longer urethra than women. This means that women tend to be more susceptible to infections of the bladder (cystitis). The length of a male's urethra, and the fact in contains a number of bends makes catheterisation more difficult.
In the human female, the urethra is about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long and opens in the vulva between the clitoris and the vaginal opening.
In the human male, the urethra is about 8 inches (20 cm) long and opens at the end of the penis. The urethra is divided into three parts in men, named after the location:
Anatomy
Histology
The epithelium of the urethra starts off as transitional cells as it exits the bladder. Further along the urethra there are stratified columnar cells, then stratified squamous cells near the external meatus (exit hole).
There are small [[mucus]-secreting urethral glands, that help protect the epithelium from the corrosive urine.
Endoscopy of the bladder via the urethra is called cystoscopy.
See also: Vulvovaginal health, urethral sponge, G-spotMedical problems of the urethra
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