Urethra - Anatomy & Physiology

()Map URINARY SYSTEM (Map)

This is the connection between the bladder and the external environment.

Female

• Empties at the external urethral orifice on the ventral wall of the vagina
• This is often at the vestibulo vaginal junction
• Only urine passes through it
• The urethral submucosa has a network of veins which may contribute to continence by forming a kind of erectile tissue.
• Length and diameter is species specific
  • Short and wide - mare
  • 2 fossa - bitch
  • Suburethral diverticulum - cow and sow

Male

• Empties at tip of penis
• Divided into 3 parts
  • Pre-prostatic - bladder neck to seminal hillock
  • Prostatic portion - openings of deferant, vesicular and prostatic ducts
  • Penile portion - ischial arch to penile tip
  • Note the first 2 combined are called the pelvic portion

Blood Supply

Blood Supply comes from the Urethral Artery