Urethra - what is it? It is to this question that we will devote the article. In addition, you will learn about the differences in the structure of this organ in men and women, as well as what diseases can occur, how to treat them.
General information
The urethra is the urethra that connects the bladder to the outside. The walls of the presented organ are covered with a mucous membrane inside. After it come the connective fibers, as well as the muscular membrane. It should be especially noted that the urethra in both girls and men has the shape of a tube. However, its structure is different for different sexes.
Women's urethra: where is it located?
The urethra of the fairer sex is much shorter, but much wider than the male urethra. As a rule, its length varies within 3-4 centimeters, and its width is about 1.4 times greater than the male one. The mucous membrane of the urethra forms numerous folds. This organ begins in the form of an internal opening from the bladder. Further, the canal passes from top to bottom under the symphysis of the pubis along the anterior wall of the vagina. It opens with an external opening in the depths of the genitalgaps, or rather, under the clitoris, located between the labia (small).
What structure does it have?
Women's urethra where is it located? You have received the answer to this question. In the same section, I would like to talk in detail about the structure of the urethra in the fairer sex.
As you know, the external opening of the urethra has a rounded shape. At the entrance to the vagina, it is surrounded by hard roller-like edges. The canal itself runs strictly parallel to the vagina, along its front wall, with which it fuses. It should be especially noted that the lumen of the urethra in women is different throughout. It expands funnel-shaped at the bladder, and then narrows at the external opening. In this case, the entire channel is literally surrounded by connective tissue, which has a special density in the lower parts of the vagina. The wall of the canal is formed by the mucous membrane and muscle tissue.
Urethral mucosa
The mucosa of the urethra is covered with stratified prismatic epithelium, which is flat in some areas and high in others. Thus, the shell forms a series of longitudinal folds. In this regard, the transverse section of the channel has the shape 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 the so-called mouths open in the lower parts of the canal.ducts of the glands of the urethra. Near the outlet on both sides there are paraurethral ducts. It is also worth noting that the connective tissue of the urethra has numerous veins and elastic fibers.
Muscular tissues of the urethra
The muscular membrane of the urethra in women consists of circular, outer, longitudinal and inner layers, as well as a layer of smooth muscles with elastic fibers. In the region of the urogenital diaphragm, its tissues join the circular canal and form the urethral sphincter.
Urethra in men: where is it?
The male urethra, unlike the short female urethra, is about 18-24 centimeters long. At the same time, in a state of erection, this value increases by a third. The posterior urethra in the representatives of the stronger sex starts from the internal opening and ends at the seed hillock (or before the beginning of the cavernous body). As for the anterior canal, it is located more distally.
What structure does it have?
Where is the urethra in men? We have provided this information above. And now we will talk in detail about the structure of the male urethra.
Conventionally, the urethra of the stronger sex is divided into 3 parts, namely:
- webbed;
- prostatic (or prostatic);
- spongy (or spongy, cavernous).
The urethra in men has 2 S-shaped bends throughout its length: the upper subpubic (or subpubic,prostatic), which is formed when the membranous part of the canal passes into the cavernous (from top to bottom), bending around the pubic symphysis from below, and the lower prepubic (or so-called prepubic), which occurs when the movable part of the organ passes into the non-fixed one, arching upward. If the penis is raised to the stomach, then both named bends turn into a common one, which is concave forward and slightly upward.
Throughout the male urethra has a different diameter of the lumen. So, wide parts alternate with narrower ones. One constriction is located at the internal 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 navicular fossa is located. As you know, the average width of such a channel in the representatives of the stronger sex ranges from 4 to 7 millimeters.
Microflora in women
The female urethra, or rather, its normal microflora, may be different depending on age. In adults and he althy women, most microorganisms consist of lactobacilli, as well as saprophytic and epidermal staphylococci. In addition, the presence of up to 5% of peptostreptococci and up to 10% of bifidumbacteria is allowed in the urethra. The presented combination of microorganisms in medical practice is called the Doderlein microflora.
Male microflora
The female urethra is significantly different from the male. Andthis applies not only to the location of the channel in the body and physical parameters, but also to the microflora. It is worth noting that it remains unchanged throughout the life of men. A few hours after birth, epidermal and saprophytic staphylococci appear in the urethra of boys. At the same time, these microorganisms inhabit only the first five centimeters of the urethra. Further, the urethra is practically sterile.
Urethra - what is it? 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 organ.
Urethral diseases
Diseases of this organ may be associated with the following phenomena:
1. With inflammation in the canal. Inflammation of the urethra, the treatment of which is reduced to taking antibiotics and other chemotherapy drugs, is quite common in medical practice. This disease is called urethritis. It manifests itself in the form of discomfort, burning and pain. As a rule, this disease, which occurs in an acute form, is combined with colpitis and endocervicitis.
2. With anomalies of the channel itself. This may manifest as a lack of a posterior wall (hypospadias) or an anterior wall (epispadias). Such a deviation should only be treated with surgery.
3. With prolapse of the urethra. This pathology is a strong protrusion of the canal outward. In the fairer sex, this disease most often occurs in old age. It may be accompanied by prolapse of the vagina. The reasons for thedeviations are damage to the muscles of the pelvic floor, including the perineum, during prolonged physical work, as well as childbirth operations, protracted labor, prolonged coughing, severe attempts with constipation, etc. To treat this pathology, a circular excision of the prolapsed urethral wall is used.
4. with polyps. The polyp of the urethra 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 any infection, as well as hormonal disruptions and intestinal diseases. In the first stages, the urethral polyp develops without any symptoms, but after a while this disease causes a feeling of discomfort. This pathology is diagnosed using a ureteroscope.
5. With fibromas, myomas and angiomas. Such deviations are benign hormone-dependent tumors consisting of muscle-connective tissues. Their treatment is carried out only through surgical intervention.
6. With genital warts. This is a disease that most often affects the external opening of the urethra. Such formation is removed surgically.
7. with paraurethral cysts. A cyst is a fluid-filled gland located near the outer urethra. It looks like a protruding front wall of the vagina. Pain in the urethra, difficult urination, and noticeable bulges around the outlet are alla sign that a person has paraurethral cysts. Such a disease is treated only by removing the cysts under anesthesia (local).
8. With stricture. Narrowing of the urethra is most often associated with complications in the treatment of prostate tumors. In severe cases, the lumen of the urethra is completely blocked, which causes great discomfort to the patient.
9. With cancer. It is extremely rare. More common in women than in men.
Summarize
Urethra - what is it? We have answered the question in detail. It should also be noted that, in order to avoid serious diseases of the urethra, experts recommend daily personal hygiene, do not use products that can irritate the mucous membrane of this organ, and also use contraception during casual relationships.
