Week 1 - Anatomy of the Ureters, Bladder and Urethra Flashcards
Where do the ureters arise?
What is this point called?
Arise from the renal pelvis at the ureteropelvic junction
Describe the anatomical course of the ureters as they move from the abdomen to the pelvis
At the level of the sacroiliac joints, they cross the pelvic brim, anterior to the bifurcation of the common iliac arteries
Describe the anatomical relationship of the vas deferens and the ureters in males.
The ureters pass posteriorly to the vas deferens
In males, the ureters pass posteriorly to the vas deferens.
What reproductive structures do the ureters pass posteriorly to in the female?
The ovaries
Explain the saying “water under a bridge” in relation to the ureters
The ureters pass underneath the uterine arteries in the female
Describe the course of the ureters upon entering the bladder.
This is the same in both genders.
Enter posterolateral surface of bladder and run obliquely through bladder wall
What is the blood supply to the ureters?
Segmental artery from the renal, gonadal, and vesicle/uterine arteries
State the anatomical position of the urinary bladder
Lies posterior to the pubic bones and pubic symphysis, within the pelvic cavity
What shape is the bladder when empty?
Tetrahedral - base (posterior surface), superior surface and 2 infero-lateral surfaces
What is the trigone, and what landmarks define it?
An triangular area of the internal bladder.
The superior corners are the ureteric openings, joined by the inter-ureteric ridge, and the inferior corner is the internal urethral opening.
What shape is the bladder when full?
Oval
What are the important external features of the full bladder?
Apex - point of attachment of median umbilical ligament
Body
Fundus (base)
Neck - joins bladder to urethra
What is the specialised muscle of the bladder wall called?
Why is it special?
Detrusor muscle
Fibres run in 3 directions, hence bladder retains structural integrity when stretched
What is significant about the trigone when the bladder is full?
It is non-distensible so does not stretch
What sort of epithelium lines the urethra? Why?
Stratified columnar
Has mucus-secreting glands to protect against corrosion by urine
How long is the male urethra?
15 - 20cm
What are the 4 divisions of the male urethra?
Pre-prostatic
Prostatic
Membranous
Spongy
Where does the pre-prostatic urethra run from?
Internal urethral orifice of bladder to prostate
Where does the membranous urethra run between?
Runs from the inferior end of the prostate through the pelvic floor and deep perineal pouch.
Where does the spongy urethra run between?
Passes through corpus spongiosum of penis. Ends at external urethral orifice
Where is the involuntary internal sphincter found?
What is it formed by?
Found at the neck of the bladder
Formed from detrusor muscle running circularly around the neck.
What is the role of the involuntary internal sphincter in the male?
Prevents semen from regurgitating into the bladder during ejaculation
In which part of the male urethra would you find the external urethral sphincter?
The membranous region
How long is the female urethra?
Why is this clinically relevant?
Around 4cm long
Leaves women prone to UTIs
