urethra (redirected from incomplete urethra)

urethra /ure·thra/ (u-re´thrah) the membranous canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder to the exterior of the body.ure´thral

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membranous urethra  a short portion of the urethra between the prostatic urethra and spongy urethra.

prostatic urethra  that part of the urethra passing through the prostate.

spongy urethra  the portion of the urethra within the corpus spongiosum penis.

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u·re·thra (y-rthr)

n. pl. u·re·thras or u·re·thrae (-thr)

The canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder in most mammals and through which semen is discharged in the male. Also called urogenital canal.

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u·rethral adj.

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Urethra

A passageway from the bladder to the outside for the discharge of urine. In the female this canal lies between the vagina and clitoris; in the male the urethra travels through the penis, opening at the tip.

Mentioned in: Cystometry, Cystoscopy, Enlarged Prostate, Gonorrhea, Hypospadias and Epispadias, Impotence, Lithotripsy, Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz Procedure, Neurogenic Bladder, Nongonococcal Urethritis, Paruresis, Prostate Biopsy, Prostate Ultrasound, Prostatectomy, Retrograde Cystography, Retrograde Urethrography, Saw Palmetto, Urinalysis, Urine Flow Test

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urethra

[yoo͡rē′thrə]

Etymology: Gk, ourethra

a small tubular structure that drains urine from the bladder. In women it is about 3 cm long and lies directly behind the symphysis pubis, anterior to the vagina. In men it is about 20 cm long and begins at the bladder, passes through the center of the prostate gland, goes between two sheets of tissue connecting the pubic bones, and finally passes through the urinary meatus of the penis. In men the urethra is joined by the ejaculatory duct and serves as a passageway for semen during ejaculation, as well as a canal for urine during voiding. See also ureter. urethral, adj.

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urethra [u-re´thrah]

the tubular passage through which urine is discharged from the bladder to the exterior of the body. adj., adj ure´thral. The external urinary opening is called the urinary meatus. In men the urethra conveys both urine and the secretions of the reproductive organs. In women its sole function is urination. The female urethra is about 4 cm long; its opening is situated between the clitoris and the opening of the vagina. The male urethra is about 20 cm long and is narrower than that of the female. It has three sections: prostatic, membranous, and penile. It extends downward from the bladder through the prostate, which secretes into it a thin fluid. The membranous portion of the urethra receives the secretion of the bulbourethral glands. The urethra then extends down through the main body of the penis to the opening, or meatus, at the tip. Along the entire length of the passage are mucous glands.

Using a swab to obtain a urethral specimen from a male and a female client. From Lammon et al., 1995.

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urethra

the tubular passage through which urine is discharged from the bladder to the exterior via the external urinary meatus. In males the urethra also conveys the secretions of the reproductive organs.

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female urethra

runs ventrally to the reproductive tract, opening in its ventral wall at the junction of the vagina and the vestibule; at its entrance it may be joined with a diverticulum (cow, sow) or a hummock (bitch).

incomplete urethra

see urethral atresia.

male urethra

consists of pelvic (bladder to entrance to penis) and penile or spongy part; the deferent and vesicular ducts enter the pelvic urethra soon after it leaves the bladder.

penile urethra

that part of the male urethra which passes through the penis; called also spongy urethra.

prosthetic urethra

limited use in male cats with urethral obstruction or stricture; some serious disadvantages and surgical perineal urethrostomy the preferred treatment.

spongy urethra

that part of the urethra surrounded by erectile tissue; called also penile urethra.