[Pathogenetic synopsis of diverticular disease of the female urethra]

Diverticular disease of the female urethra is rare, but not so rare as assumed hitherto. The predominant theory is that diverticula urethrae is secondary to infection of the glandulae paraurethrales, but they can be easily pared out, and this together with their three-dimensional appearance with subdivision in side, undermines this theory. On the other hand, the known fact that urethral diverticula can be observed in female babies and girls of school age and also in urethral moulds of healthy young women, in which widened urethral glands can be found, supports the idea of a congenital origin. The irritability of the female urethra results from the fact that it is made up of two germ layers. Inflammation of paraurethral ducts causes secondary widening of small congenital diverticula of the female urethra. Proximally located diverticula can irritate sphincter function, as does invasive treatment. In some cases endoscopic therapy might be justified rather than plastic surgical removal via the vagina. The history, symptoms, diagnostis, histology and secondary pathology are indicated only very briefly.