Chapter 117 Urethra Flashcards
(77 cards)
How is the male urethra ‘divided’ anatomically speaking>
- Pelvic
- Pre-prostatic (basically absent in dogs)
- Prostatic
- Penile
Where do the ductus deferens enter the urethra?
Dorsal prostatic urethra, either side of dorsally located colliculus seminalis
What type of ‘penile’ tissue surrounds the urethra for the entirety of its length?
Corpus spongiosum

What are the histogical layers of urethra?
Muscularis
Submucosa
Mucosa
What type of epithelium lines the urethra?
Proximally: transitional epithelium, distally stratified squamous
What are the muscular layers of the male canine urethra?
How does this differ from females (and pre-prostatic urethra of male cats)?
2 layers in male dog:
- Inner longitunidal smooth
- Outer circular striated in dostal 2/3rds (urethralis m)
3 layers in the rest:
- Inner longitudinal
- Middle circular
- Outer logitudinal
i.e. female urethra is histologically speaking the same as pre-prostatic male urethra
What is the sympathetic, parasympathetic and somatic innervation to the urethra?
- Sympathetic = hypogastric n
- Parasympathetic = pelvic n
- Somatic = pudendal n.
What is the principal artery supplying the urethra?
Urethral artery (branch of prostatic/vaginal artery, branch of internal pudendal) and penile artery
Label the diagram


Label the diagram


What is the diameter in male femine pre-prostatic, prostatic and penile urethra?
Pre-prostatic 2mm
Prostatic 1.3mm
Penile urethra 0.7mm

What is width of female canine urethra?
5mm
Where is the exit of urethra in biches?
External urethral tubercle on ventral floor of vestibule
Histologically speaking, how does female dog urethra differ from male dog
Female:
- 3 layers of muscle (vs 2 in male dog)
- More collagen
- Less muscle
Same changes seen in neutered vs entire bitches (i.e. more collagen and less muscle in neutered bitches)
How do ECG abnormalities progress with worsening hyperkalaemia
- Tall, spiked T-waves to depressed R-waves
- Prolonged QRS and PR intervals and ST segment depression
- Smaller and wider P-waves with a prolonged QT interval
- Atrial standstill
- Eventually wide QRS complexes and ventricular arrhythmias
(not been found to closely correlate with those seen in the clinical scenario, likely due to the presence of concurrent biochemical abnormalities)
At what point should calcium gluconate be adminstered for hyperkalaemia?
How is it given?
How long does effect last?
If bradycardia, significant ECG changes or K > 8 mmol/L
1 ml/kg 10% calcium gluconate over 10-20 minutes. ECG on.
Lasts 30-60 minutes
How does calcium gluconate work in tx of hyperkalaemia
Increses threshold for cardiac myocyte depolarization i.e. solely cardioprotective
In additonal to calcium gluconate, what other meds can be given inmanagement of hyper-K
- Dextrose (reduces K by K-Glu co-transporter)
- Regular insulin (lasts 2-4 hours)
- Bicarb (only if severe acidaemia)
- IVFT, CSL
List 5 methods to increase success of retrohydropulsion of urethral stones
- GA
- Topical anesthetic or epidural
- Lubricant
- Various sized catheters
- Counter pressure on urethra PR to allow distension
List 3 methdos for temporary management of urethral obstruction if retrograde u cath failed
- Cystocentesis (drain fully to reduce risk of uroabdomen)
- Tube cystostomy
- Antegrade transcystic catheterisation
- (Urethrotomy…)

When is negative (air) cytography contraindicated and why?
If lower urinary tract trauma suspected as can –> fatal air embolism
Comment on the image

Retrograde positive-contrast cystourethrogram of a 4-year-old male cat with rupture of the intrapelvic urethra.
- The catheter is coiled back after passing through the urethral defect.
- Extravasated contrast medium is present at the intrapelvic urethral defect, in the retroperitoneal space, and surrounding the trigone of the bladder.
Whatare the TWO critical factors in urethral healing?
- Mucosal continuity
- Urine extravasation
In urethral ‘discontinuity’ how fast can mucsa regenerate IF there is mucosal continuity and urinary diversion?
7 days!










