Urethra

Question 1

What type of cells line the urethra?

Answer 1

stratified columnar epithelium protected by mucus secreting glands

Question 2

What are the four parts of the male urethra?

Answer 2

pre prostatic, prostatic, membranous, spongy

Question 3

Describe pre-prostatic male urethra

Answer 3

Begins at the internal urethral orifice, located at the neck of the bladder. It passes through the wall of the bladder, and ends at the prostate

Question 4

Describe prostatic male urethra

Answer 4

Passes through the prostate gland. The ejaculatory ducts (containing spermatozoa from the testes, and seminal fluid from the seminal vesicle glands) and the prostatic ducts drain into the urethra here.

Question 5

Describe the membranous male urethra

Answer 5

Passes through the pelvic floor, and the deep perineal pouch. It is surrounded by the external urethral sphincter, which provides voluntary control of micturition.

Question 6

Describe the spongy male urethra

Answer 6

Passes through the bulb and corpus spongiosum of the penis, ending at the external urethral orifice. In the glans penis, the urethra dilates, forming the navicular fossa. The bulbourethral glands empty into the proximal urethra.

Question 7

Why are women predisposed to UTIs?

Answer 7

urethra is short - approx. 4cm

Question 8

What is the route of the female urethra?

Answer 8

Starts at neck of bladder. Travels inferiorly through perineal membrane and pelvic floor. It opens directly onto the perineum, in an area between the labia minora, known as the vestibule. Within the vestibule, the urethral orifice is located anteriorly to the vaginal opening, and 2-3cm posteriorly to the clitoris.