674
edits
Changes
Urethra - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 16:05, 6 January 2023
, 16:05, 6 January 2023no edit summary
==Introduction==
This muscular tube is the connection between the bladder and the external environment and plays a vital role in concious urinary continence.
==The Layers of the Urethra==
The layers of the walls of the urethra are largely similar to those of the [[Urinary Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomy|urinary bladder]] apart from one significant difference; in both the male and the female the urethral submucosa has a network of veins which may contribute to continence by forming a kind of erectile tissue.
This is the connection between the bladder and the external environment.
==Female==
==Female==
* This is often at the vestibulo vaginal junction
* This is often at the vestibulo vaginal junction
* Only urine passes through it
* Only urine passes through it
* Length and diameter is species specific
* Length and diameter is species specific
** Short and wide - mare
** Short and wide - mare
==Male==
==Male==
[[Image:maleluttri.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>A schematic overview of the path of the male urethra</center></small>]]
[[Image:sumbsbladurtri.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>A schematic overview of the blood supply to the bladder and urethra</center></small>]]
* Empties at tip of penis
* Empties at tip of penis
* Divided into 3 parts
* Divided into 3 parts
==Muscles of the Urethra==
==Muscles of the Urethra==
The urethralis muscle runs the entire length of the urethra and forms the external urethral sphincter.
The '''urethralis''' muscle runs the entire length of the urethra and forms the external urethral sphincter.
Unlike the [[Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology#Internal Urethral Sphincter|internal sphincter]] the external sphincter is composed of striated muscle fibres which are under the voluntary control of the somatic nervous system. It is often called the '''urethralis''' muscle and runs the entire length of the urethra.
Unlike the [[Urinary Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology#Internal Urethral Sphincter|internal sphincter]] the external sphincter is composed of striated muscle fibres which are under the voluntary control of the somatic nervous system.
=====Somatic Motor Supply - External Urethral Sphincter=====
=====Somatic Motor Supply - External Urethral Sphincter=====
* No synapse
* No synapse
* Innervates the urethral skeletal muscle - external urethral sphincter
* Innervates the urethral skeletal muscle - external urethral sphincter
* Function is to retain urine
* Function is to contract and retain urine
==Blood Supply==
==Blood Supply==
Blood Supply comes from the Urethral Artery
Blood Supply comes from the Urethral Artery which is a branch of the vaginal artery which in turn is a branch of the internal pudendal which is a branch of the internal iliac.
==Revision==
{{Template:Learning
|flashcards = Use the [[Urethra - Anatomy & Physiology - Renal Flash Cards - Anatomy & Physiology|flash card revision resource]] for this section to test yourself.
|dragster = [[Canine Urinary Radiographical Anatomy Resources (I & II)|Canine Male Urethrogram Radiographic Anatomy (II)]]
}}
==Webinars==
<rss max="10" highlight="none">https://www.thewebinarvet.com/urogenital-and-reproduction/webinars/feed</rss>
[[Category:Lower Urinary Tract - Anatomy & Physiology]][[Category:Bullet Points]]