urethra
Sign in to saveThe urethra (: urethras or urethrae) is the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the urethral meatus of the penis or vulva in placental mammals. In males, it also transports semen through the penis during ejaculation.
AI overview
The urethra is a tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body through the penis or vulva. In males, this same tube also carries semen during ejaculation.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Urethra
- Anatomy.Latin
- urethra feminina (female); urethra masculina (male)
- Anatomy.Greek
- οὐρήθρα
- Anatomy.Image
- Female and Male Urethra.jpg
- Anatomy.Caption
- The urethra transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. This image shows (a) a human female urethra and (b) a human male urethra.
- Anatomy.Width
- 220
- Anatomy.Precursor
- Urogenital sinus
- Anatomy.Artery
- Inferior vesical arteryMiddle rectal arteryInternal pudendal artery
- Anatomy.Vein
- Inferior vesical veinMiddle rectal veinInternal pudendal vein
- Anatomy.Nerve
- Pudendal nervePelvic splanchnic nervesInferior hypogastric plexus
- Anatomy.Lymph
- Internal iliac lymph nodesDeep inguinal lymph nodes
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Male
- Female
- Microanatomy
- Blood and nerve supply and lymphatics
- Development
- Function
- Urination
- Ejaculation
- Clinical significance
- Injury
- Other
- Catheterisation
- Other animals
- History
- Additional images
- See also
- References
- External links
The urethra (: urethras or urethrae) is the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the urethral meatus of the penis or vulva in placental mammals. In males, it also transports semen through the penis during ejaculation.
The external urethral sphincter is a striated muscle that allows voluntary control over urination. The internal sphincter, formed by the involuntary smooth muscles lining the bladder neck and urethra, is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system in males and females.