URETHRA

duct that transmits urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body during urination. The urethra is held closed by the urethral sphincter, a muscular structure that helps keep urine in the bladder until voiding can occur. Because the urethra is anatomically linked with the reproductive structures in the male, the characteristics of the male's and female's urethra are quite different. The male's urethra is about 8 inches (20 cm) long and passes along the length of the penis before emptying. At its emergence from the bladder, the urethra passes through the prostate gland, and seminal ducts from the testes enter the urethra at each side, making it the pathway for the transmission of semen as well as for the discharge of urine. The male urethra can be divided into three sections: the uppermost within the prostate, the next section within the urethral sphincter, and the lowermost (and longest) section within the penis. The female urethra is embedded within the vaginal wall, and its opening is situated between the labia. The female urethra is much shorter than that of the male, being only 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) long. It opens to the outside just after passing through the urethral sphincter. Both the male and female urethra are subject to bacterial infections (see urethritis).