What does a urethra look like?

The male and female urethras have different appearances due to their anatomical differences.

Male Urethra:

1. External Urethra (Penile Urethra): In males, the urethra extends from the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis and serves as the passageway for both urine and semen. This portion of the urethra is visible externally.

2. Internal Urethra: The internal urethra refers to the segment of the urethra that lies within the prostate gland and extends to the external urethral orifice. This part is not directly visible externally.

The male urethra has several anatomical structures along its course:

* External Urethral Orifice: The external opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis where urine and semen exit.

* Penile Urethra: The segment of the urethra that runs through the shaft of the penis.

* Prostatic Urethra: The portion of the urethra that passes through the prostate gland.

* Membranous Urethra: A short segment of the urethra that lies between the prostate gland and the bulbous urethra.

* Bulbous Urethra: The part of the urethra located in the bulb of the penis.

* Spongy Urethra: The final segment of the urethra that runs through the corpus spongiosum of the penis, ending at the external urethral orifice.

Female Urethra:

The female urethra is shorter and wider compared to the male urethra. It arises from the urinary bladder and opens externally at the external urethral orifice located between the clitoris and the vaginal opening. Unlike the male urethra, the female urethra does not transport semen and solely serves as the pathway for urine.

1. External Urethral Orifice: Similar to males, the female urethra has an external opening at the vulva.

2. Internal Urethra: The internal urethra in women refers to the part of the urethra that lies within the urogenital diaphragm and connects to the bladder.

Overall, the physical appearance of the urethra reflects its distinct functions in males and females, with the male urethra having additional reproductive roles.