urethra
Dr. Manuela Mai studied medicine at the Universities of Heidelberg and Mannheim. After graduating, she gained clinical experience in gynecology, pathology and clinical pharmacology. She is particularly interested in the broader connections that lead to diseases - also outside of conventional medicine. She completed additional training in classical homeopathy as well as ear and skull acupuncture.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The urethra (Latin: urethra) is the excretion route through which the urine is released to the outside. Anatomy and function differed significantly in men and women. In men, the urethra is not only part of the lower urinary tract, it is also responsible for transporting the semen. Read everything you should know about the urethra here.
What is the urethra
The urine produced in the kidneys and collected in the bladder is released to the outside via the urethra. There are differences between the female and male urethra.
Urethra - woman:
The female urethra is three to five centimeters long and has a star-shaped cross section caused by wrinkles. It begins at the lower end of the bladder, the so-called bladder neck.
The structure of the urethral wall consists of three layers:
- Inside, it is lined with a covering tissue (epithelium) known as the urothelium.
- The next layer consists of smooth and striated muscles that are connected to the bladder muscles as well as the pelvic floor muscles.
- The outermost layer consists of loose connective tissue (tunica adventitia). It anchors the urethra in its surroundings. In addition, blood vessels and nerves run in it.
Under the mucous membrane of the female urethra there is a plexus of cavernous veins. This can press the longitudinal folds of the urethral mucosa against each other and thus contribute to the closure.
Urethra - man:
The male urethra is approximately eight inches long. It also serves as a seminal duct, as the seminal drainage paths flow into it. This is why the male urethra is also known as the urinary spermatic tube.
It is divided into four sections, the names of which correspond to their anatomical location:
- Pars intramuralis
- Pars prostatica
- Pars membranacea
- Part of the cancellous bone
In contrast to the almost completely straight female urethra, the male urethra has two curves as it is built into the penis. For the same reason there are three bottlenecks in its course.
The excretory ducts of the prostate and seminal vesicles open into the pars prostatica. From here on, the male urethra is part of the reproductive system.
In the part of the urethra that lies in the penis, there are several pea-sized mucous glands. Your secretion is weakly alkaline and is released before ejaculation. This neutralizes the acidic environment.
Otherwise, the wall structure of the male urethra largely corresponds to that of the female urethra.
Lower urinary tract (women and men)
The renal pelvis, ureter, bladder and urinary tube together form the urinary tract. Man and woman do not differ on this point. The urine produced in the kidneys leaves the body via the urinary tract.
What is the function of the urethra?
The urethra directs urine out of the bladder. This is also the only function for women.
The male urethra, on the other hand, has a double function: On the one hand, it is part of the urinary tract and thus diverts the urine to the outside. On the other hand, it functions as part of the reproductive system and transports the sperm out during ejaculation. It is not possible to transport urine and semen at the same time.
Where is the urethra located?
The exact location of the urethra varies in women and men.
Urethra - woman:
The upper part of the female urethra lies within the urinary bladder wall and is called the pars intramuralis (as in men). Then it runs through the pelvic floor, running forward between the pubic symphysis and the front wall of the vagina.
The outer opening of the urethra (Ostium urethrae externum) lies between the labia minora, just below the clitoris and thus in front of the vaginal entrance.
Urethra - man:
Just like the female urethra, the male urethra has its origin at the bladder neck. First, as the pars intramuralis, it runs through the muscle wall of the urinary bladder and its internal sphincter.
Then it runs as the pars prostatica through the prostate gland. There the excretory ducts of the prostate gland and the seminal vesicle flow into the urethra.
As the pars membranacea, the urethra runs through the male pelvic floor and in this area is firmly built into the connective tissue of the pelvis.
The last and longest section of the male urethra at around 15 centimeters is called the pars spongiosa. It runs through the erectile tissue of the penis and ends at the glans penis.
What problems can the urethra cause?
Inflammation of the lining of the urethra is called urethritis. This is mostly triggered by bacteria or fungi. The germs can enter the urethra either from the outside or from the kidneys via the urinary tract.
There are many different, mostly congenital, malformations that affect the urethra. Often these are associated with urinary flow disorders or malfunctions in the urethra.
In an accident (such as a traffic accident), the urethra can tear or tear off completely.
There are also cancers of the urethra: Urethral cancer is a rare type of cancer that mainly affects women over 50 years of age.
With all problems in the area of the urethra, there are either difficulties in holding the urine (urinary incontinence) or difficult or completely impossible emptying of the urine (urinary retention). In the second case, a catheter must be placed immediately to relieve the urinary bladder.
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