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Urethra

Urethra

The urethra is a hollowed tubular organ through which urine is expelled from the body. This structure extends from the bladder to the external opening, allowing urine to be released.
The anatomy of the urethra differs between males and females. In females, the urethra is short, measuring about 3–4 cm in length, and opens anterior to the vaginal opening. In males, the urethra is longer and passes through the penis, serving dual purposes: expelling urine and ejaculating semen. The male...

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra

The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...

Ureters

Ureters

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...

Accessory Glands of the Male Reproductive System

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The accessory ducts involved in sperm maturation and transportation include the epididymides, vasa deferentia, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra. These ducts play a critical role in the maturation, storage, and transportation of sperm from the testes to the urethra, where it is then released during ejaculation.
The epididymis is a small, comma-shaped organ located at the back of each testicle. The epididymis can be divided into three main parts: the head, body, and tail. The head of the epididymis...

Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry

Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry

Uroflowmetry is a non-invasive urodynamic test designed to measure various aspects of urination, including volume, flow rate, and the time to void. This test is crucial for diagnosing and assessing conditions such as bladder outlet obstruction, bladder dysfunction, incomplete bladder emptying, incontinence, and urinary tract blockages caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urethral strictures.Pre-Test Instructions:Before a uroflowmetry test, patients are typically advised to drink...

Urinary Bladder

Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 2, 2025

A Novel Surgical Technique in a Sheep Model for Suburethral Graft Implantation

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Published on: June 20, 2025

Comparing urethral closure mechanisms.

¹University of Western Australia School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Perth, Australia.

Central European Journal of Urology

|August 8, 2022

Summary

Understanding urethral closure is key for treating stress urinary incontinence. This study challenges pressure transmission theories, suggesting a musculo-elastic mechanism involving specific muscles and ligaments is more accurate for closure.

Keywords:

Integral Theory midure-thral sling surgery pressure transmission theory pubourethral urethral closure

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Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis

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Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Urogynecology
Anatomy
Physiology

Background:

The precise mechanisms of urethral closure are debated, impacting the understanding and treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Current theories include Enhorning's pressure transmission theory and musculo-elastic closure.
A clear grasp of urethral closure anatomy is essential for surgical success and complication management in SUI.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically evaluate dominant theories of urethral closure.
To elucidate the functional anatomy involved in maintaining urethral closure and its relation to micturition.

Main Methods:

Theoretical analysis of existing hypotheses on urethral closure.
Physiological reasoning based on observed responses to increased intra-abdominal pressure during straining.

Main Results:

The pressure transmission theory fails to explain why increased intra-abdominal pressure does not inhibit micturition during straining.
Straining actually increases urine flow, indicating a relaxation of the pubococcygeus muscle.
This relaxation facilitates the opening of the urethra by the levator plate/longitudinal anal muscle complex prior to micturition.

Conclusions:

The musculo-elastic closure mechanism, reliant on suspensory ligaments, provides a more plausible explanation for urethral closure than pressure transmission.
The interplay between specific muscles, like the pubococcygeus and levator ani complex, dictates urethral state during increased intra-abdominal pressure.