Urethra Flashcards
what is the urethra? (function)
the vessel responsible for transporting urine from the bladder to an external opening in the perineum
what is the urethra lined by?
stratified columnar epithelium
what is the stratified columnar epithelium protected from?
the corrosive urine by mucus secreting glands
is the male and female urethra the same?
NO
approximately how long is the male urethra?
15-20cm long
what is the male urethra’s function?
In addition to urine, the male urethra provides an exit for semen
what is semen?
a fluid containing spermatozoa and sex gland secretions
how can the urethra be divided anatomically?
4 sections: Pre-prostatic (intramural) Prostatic Membranous Spongy
where does the pre-prostatic (intramural) section begin?
Begins at the internal urethral orifice
where is the internal urethral orifice located?
at the neck of the bladder
what does the pre-prostatic (intramural) section pass through?
wall of the bladder
where does the pre-prostatic (intramural) section end?
at the prostate
where does the prostatic part of the urethra pass through?
the prostate gland
what drains into the urethra at the prostatic part?
The ejaculatory ducts and the prostatic ducts
what do the ejaculatory ducts contain?
containing spermatozoa from the testes, and seminal fluid from the seminal vesicle glands
what does the membranous part of the urethra pass through?
the pelvic floor, and the deep perineal pouch
what is the membranous part of the urethra surrounded by?
the external urethral sphincter
what does the external urethral sphincter provide?
voluntary control of micturition
what does the spongy portion of the urethra pass through?
the bulb and corpus spongiosum of the penis
where does the spongy portion of the urethra end at?
the external urethral orifice
where does the urethra dilate?
in the glans penis
what does the dilation of the urethra at the glans penis form>
the navicular fossa
what empties into the proximal urethra?
The bulbourethral glands
what is urinary catheterisation?
the process of inserting a tube through the urethra and into the bladder
when is urinary catheterisation used?
in situations where urine output needs to be monitored, or when the patient is unable to pass urine
what needs to be considered in male catheterisation?
there are two angles to consider – the infrapubic and prepubic angles
how can the prepubic angle be removed?
by holding the penis upwards during urinary catheterisation
what is also important to consider in the male urethra during catheterisation?
the three constrictions in the male urethra:
the internal urethral sphincter
external urethral sphincter
external urethral orifice
how long is the urethra in females?
the urethra is relatively short (approximately 4cm)
what does the length of the urethra in women predispose them to?
urinary tract infections
where does the urethra begin at?
the neck of the bladder
where does the urethra pass?
passes inferiorly through the perineal membrane and muscular pelvic floor
where does the urethra open directly onto? what is it known as?
opens directly onto the perineum, in an area between the labia minora, known as the vestibule
where is the urethral orifice located within the vestibule?
the urethral orifice is located anteriorly to the vaginal opening, and 2-3cm posteriorly to the clitoris
what is the distal end of the urethra marked by?
the presence of two mucous glands that lie either side of the urethra
what are the mucous glands that lie either side of the distal end of the urethra like?
These glands are homologous to the male prostate
how does UTI manifest in females?
as cystitis, an infection of the bladder
what are common symptoms of the cystitis?
dysuria (pain upon urination), frequency, urgency, and haematuria (blood in the urine)
what can be taken to test for the UTI?
mid stream urine sample
what is the mid stream urine sample tested for?
the presence of nitrites and leukocytes (both of which indicate infection)
what are urinary tract infections are treated with?
a three day course of antibiotics
