The urethra is what? Differences in the structure of the urethra in men and women, symptoms and diseases

The urethra is what? It is to the presented question that we will devote an article. In addition, you will learn about the differences in the structure of this organ in men and women, as well as about what diseases can arise, how to treat them.

General information

The urethra is the urethra that connects the bladder to the external environment. The walls of the organ represented inside are covered with a mucous membrane. After it, connective fibers, as well as the muscle shell. It should be specially noted that the urethra both in girls and in men has the form of a tube. However, its structure in representatives of different sexes is different.

Urethra in women: where is it?

The urethra in the fairer sex is much shorter, but much wider than the urethra of men. As a rule, its length varies within 3-4 centimeters, and the width is about 1.4 times higher than the male. The mucous membrane of the urethra forms numerous folds. This organ begins as an internal opening from the bladder. Then the canal passes from top to bottom under the symphysis of the pubis along the anterior wall of the vagina. It is opened by an external hole in the depth of the genital cleft, or rather, under the clitoris, located between the labia (small ones).

What kind of building does it have?

Urethra in women where is? You got the answer to this question. In the same section I want to talk in detail about what structure the urethra has in the representatives of the weaker sex.

As is known, the external aperture of the urethra differs in a rounded shape. At the entrance to the vagina it is surrounded by hard, cylindrical edges. The canal itself runs strictly parallel to the vagina, along its anterior wall, with which it fuses. It should be specially noted that the lumen of the urethra in women is different throughout. It funnel-shaped expands in the bladder, and then narrows at the outer orifice. In this case, the entire canal is literally surrounded by a connective tissue, which has a special density in the lower parts of the vagina. The canal wall forms the mucosa and muscle tissue.

Mucous membrane of the urethra

The mucous urethra is covered with a multilayer prismatic epithelium, which in some areas is flat, and in some - high. Thus, the shell forms a series of longitudinal folds. In this regard, the perforated section of the channel has the form of a star.

The highest and largest fold of the urethra is located on the back wall and is called the crest of the urethra. It stretches from the anterior corner of the bladder to the very end. Lacunas are located on the mucous membrane of the urethra, and in the lower sections of the canal open the so-called mouths of gland ducts of the urethra. Near the exit aperture there are paraurethral ducts on both sides. It is also worth noting that the connective tissue of the urethra has numerous veins and elastic fibers.

Muscles of the urethra

The muscular membrane of the urethra in women consists of a circular, outer, longitudinal and inner layers, as well as a layer of smooth muscles with elastic fibers. In the area of the genitourinary diaphragm, its tissues are attached to the circular canal and form a sphincter of the urethra.

Urethra in men: where is it?

Male urethra, in contrast to the short female, has a length of about 18-24 centimeters. In this state of erection, this value is increased by one third. The posterior urethra in the representatives of the stronger sex starts from the inner opening and ends at the seminal mound (or before the beginning of the cavernous body). As for the anterior canal, it is distal.

What kind of building does it have?

Urethra in men where is? We presented this information a little higher. And now we will tell you in detail about the structure of the male urethra.

Conventionally, the urethra of the representatives of the stronger sex is divided into 3 parts, namely:

• Membranous;
• Prostate (or prostatic);
• Spongy (or spongy, cavernous).

The urethra in the whole of the male has 2 S-shaped bends: the upper sublayer (or subalubic, prostate) that forms when the membranous part of the canal passes into the cavernous (from top to bottom), rounding the pubic symphysis from below, and the lower prelobar (or the so-called prefrontal ), Which occurs when the moving part of the organ moves into a non-fixed part, bending upward. If the penis is elevated to the abdomen, then both of these bends are converted into a common one, which is bent forward and slightly upward.

Throughout the male the urethra has a different lumen diameter. Thus, alternate wide parts with narrower ones. One narrowing is located at the inner opening, the second - in the urogenital diaphragm, and the third - at the very exit. By the way, there are also three extensions in the male urethra: in the prostatic region, in the bulbous and at the very end of the urethra, where the scaphoid fossa is located. As is known, on average, the width of such a channel in representatives of the stronger sex varies from 4 to 7 millimeters.

Microflora in women

The female urethra, or rather, its normal microflora, can be different depending on the age. In adults and healthy representatives of the fair sex, most microorganisms are composed of lactobacilli, as well as saprophytic and epidermal staphylococci. In addition, up to 5% of peptostreptococci and up to 10% of bifidumbacteria are allowed in the urethra. The presented combination of microorganisms in medical practice is called Doderlein microflora.

Male microflora

The female urethra differs significantly from the male. And this applies not only to the location of the canal in the body and physical parameters, but also to the microflora. It should be specially noted that it remains unchanged throughout the life of men. A few hours after birth in the urethra of the boys appears epidermal and saprophytic staphylococci. In this case, the named microorganisms inhabit only the first five outer centimeters of the urethra. Further the urethra is practically sterile.

The urethra is what? Now you know the answer to this question. Many are interested in what diseases can occur due to various deviations in the functioning of this body.

Diseases of the urethra

Diseases of this organ can be associated with the following phenomena:

1. With inflammation in the canal. Inflammation of the urethra, whose treatment reduces to taking antibiotics and other chemotherapy drugs, is often used in medical practice. Such a disease is called urethritis. It manifests itself in the form of discomfort, burning and rubbing. As a rule, this disease, occurring in an acute form, is combined with colpitis and endocervicitis.

2. With the anomalies of the channel itself. This can manifest as a lack of posterior (hypospadias) or anterior wall (epispadias). Such a deviation should be treated only by surgical intervention.

3. With prolapse of the urethra. This pathology is a strong protrusion of the canal outward. The representatives of the weaker sex, this disease is most often found in old age. It can be accompanied by the vaginal opening. The causes of these abnormalities are damage to the muscles of the pelvic floor, including the perineum, during prolonged physical work, as well as deliveries, prolonged labor, prolonged cough, severe attempts at constipation, etc. To treat this pathology, circular excision of the dropped urethral wall is used.

4. With polyps. The urethral polyp is a small tumor-like formation, which is eliminated only by surgical methods. The reasons for this deviation can be chronic inflammatory processes that were caused by an infection, as well as hormonal disruptions and bowel diseases. In the first stages, the urethral polyp develops without any symptoms, but after a while this disease causes a feeling of discomfort. Diagnose this pathology with a urethroscope.

5. With fibromas, myomas and angiomas. Such abnormalities are benign hormone-dependent tumors consisting of muscle-connective tissues. Their treatment is performed only by surgical intervention.

6. With genital warts. This disease, which most often affects the external aperture of the urethra. This formation is surgically removed.

7. With paraurethral cysts. The cyst is a fluid-filled gland that is located next to the external part of the urethra. It looks like a bulging anterior wall of the vagina. Pain in the urethra, complicated urination and noticeable bulges around the exit - all this is a sign that the person has paraurethral cysts. It is treated only by removing cysts under anesthesia (local).

8. With stricture. Constriction of the urethra is most often associated with complications in the treatment of prostate tumors. In severe cases, the lumen of the urethra completely overlaps, which causes enormous discomfort to the patient.

9. With oncological disease. It is extremely rare. It is more common in women than in men.

Let's sum up the results

The urethra is what? We answered the question in detail. It should also be noted that, in order to avoid serious diseases of the urethra, experts recommend daily observance of personal hygiene, do not eat foods that can irritate the mucous membrane of this organ, and also use contraception during casual connections.