Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Anatomy, Genital / Reproductive system male, Genital / Reproductive system female, Ultrasound, MR, CT, Computer Applications-General, Imaging sequences, Contrast agent-intravenous, Infection, Neoplasia, Trauma
Authors:
G. Ilangovan1, P. Varwatte2; 1Chennai, TA/IN, 2Chennai/IN
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-0508
Background
*Female urethra
- The female urethra is a simple short tube,
that transports the urine out of the body, extending from the internal urethral orifice of the bladder to the external urethral orifice in the vestibule of the vagina.
Gross anatomy
- The female urethra measures approximately 4 cm in length.
It is embedded in the anterior vaginal wall and runs with the vagina through the urogenital hiatus.
- The female urethra begins at the internal urethral meatus at the bladder neck and opens in the vestibule of the vagina,
2.5 cm below the clitoris.
Paraurethral (Skene) glands line the urethra at the external urethral meatus.
Fig. 1: Female urethra gross anatomy
References: (Netter FH. Atlas of Human Anatomy, Professional Edition:. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2017 Dec 19.)
*Male urethra
- It has a longer,
more complicated,
course than the female urethra and is also more prone to pathology.
Gross anatomy
- The male urethra measures,
on average,
18-20 cm in length.
- It commences at the internal urethral orifice in the trigone of the bladder and opens in the navicular fossa of the glans penis at the external urethral meatus,
which is the narrowest part of the urethra.
- It is divided into anterior and posterior portions.
Anterior urethra
Posterior urethra
Anterior urethra
-Penile urethra (16 cm)
-Bulbar (bulbous) urethra
Posterior urethra
-Membranous urethra (1 cm )
-Prostatic urethra (3cm).
Fig. 2: Male urethra gross anatomy
References: (Netter FH. Atlas of Human Anatomy, Professional Edition:. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2017 Dec 19.)