Urethra

Question 1

what is the urethra? (function)

Answer 1

the vessel responsible for transporting urine from the bladder to an external opening in the perineum

Question 2

what is the urethra lined by?

Answer 2

stratified columnar epithelium

Question 3

what is the stratified columnar epithelium protected from?

Answer 3

the corrosive urine by mucus secreting glands

Question 4

is the male and female urethra the same?

Answer 4

NO

Question 5

approximately how long is the male urethra?

Answer 5

15-20cm long

Question 6

what is the male urethra’s function?

Answer 6

In addition to urine, the male urethra provides an exit for semen

Question 7

what is semen?

Answer 7

a fluid containing spermatozoa and sex gland secretions

Question 8

how can the urethra be divided anatomically?

Answer 8

4 sections:
Pre-prostatic (intramural)
Prostatic
Membranous
Spongy

Question 9

where does the pre-prostatic (intramural) section begin?

Answer 9

Begins at the internal urethral orifice

Question 10

where is the internal urethral orifice located?

Answer 10

at the neck of the bladder

Question 11

what does the pre-prostatic (intramural) section pass through?

Answer 11

wall of the bladder

Question 12

where does the pre-prostatic (intramural) section end?

Answer 12

at the prostate

Question 13

where does the prostatic part of the urethra pass through?

Answer 13

the prostate gland

Question 14

what drains into the urethra at the prostatic part?

Answer 14

The ejaculatory ducts and the prostatic ducts

Question 15

what do the ejaculatory ducts contain?

Answer 15

containing spermatozoa from the testes, and seminal fluid from the seminal vesicle glands

Question 16

what does the membranous part of the urethra pass through?

Answer 16

the pelvic floor, and the deep perineal pouch

Question 17

what is the membranous part of the urethra surrounded by?

Answer 17

the external urethral sphincter

Question 18

what does the external urethral sphincter provide?

Answer 18

voluntary control of micturition

Question 19

what does the spongy portion of the urethra pass through?

Answer 19

the bulb and corpus spongiosum of the penis

Question 20

where does the spongy portion of the urethra end at?

Answer 20

the external urethral orifice

Question 21

where does the urethra dilate?

Answer 21

in the glans penis

Question 22

what does the dilation of the urethra at the glans penis form>

Answer 22

the navicular fossa

Question 23

what empties into the proximal urethra?

Answer 23

The bulbourethral glands

Question 24

what is urinary catheterisation?

Answer 24

the process of inserting a tube through the urethra and into the bladder

Question 25

when is urinary catheterisation used?

Answer 25

in situations where urine output needs to be monitored, or when the patient is unable to pass urine

Question 26

what needs to be considered in male catheterisation?

Answer 26

there are two angles to consider – the infrapubic and prepubic angles

Question 27

how can the prepubic angle be removed?

Answer 27

by holding the penis upwards during urinary catheterisation

Question 28

what is also important to consider in the male urethra during catheterisation?

Answer 28

the three constrictions in the male urethra: the internal urethral sphincter external urethral sphincter external urethral orifice

Question 29

how long is the urethra in females?

Answer 29

the urethra is relatively short (approximately 4cm)

Question 30

what does the length of the urethra in women predispose them to?

Answer 30

urinary tract infections

Question 31

where does the urethra begin at?

Answer 31

the neck of the bladder

Question 32

where does the urethra pass?

Answer 32

passes inferiorly through the perineal membrane and muscular pelvic floor

Question 33

where does the urethra open directly onto? what is it known as?

Answer 33

opens directly onto the perineum, in an area between the labia minora, known as the vestibule

Question 34

where is the urethral orifice located within the vestibule?

Answer 34

the urethral orifice is located anteriorly to the vaginal opening, and 2-3cm posteriorly to the clitoris

Question 35

what is the distal end of the urethra marked by?

Answer 35

the presence of two mucous glands that lie either side of the urethra

Question 36

what are the mucous glands that lie either side of the distal end of the urethra like?

Answer 36

These glands are homologous to the male prostate

Question 37

how does UTI manifest in females?

Answer 37

as cystitis, an infection of the bladder

Question 38

what are common symptoms of the cystitis?

Answer 38

dysuria (pain upon urination), frequency, urgency, and haematuria (blood in the urine)

Question 39

what can be taken to test for the UTI?

Answer 39

mid stream urine sample

Question 40

what is the mid stream urine sample tested for?

Answer 40

the presence of nitrites and leukocytes (both of which indicate infection)

Question 41

what are urinary tract infections are treated with?

Answer 41

a three day course of antibiotics