QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
This is the same as the bulbous/spongy urethra.
10014247
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Penile urethra
QuestionChoice
This begins immediately outside of the prostate gland and ends just prior to entering the bulb of the penis. It passes through the pelvic floor and deep perineal pouch. It is the narrowest and least dilatable portion of the urethra. It is typically 1-1.5cm in length.
10014244
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Membranous urethra
QuestionChoice
This is a portion of the urethra that is embedded within the walls of the urinary bladder and is typically 0.5 to 1.5 cm in length. It extends inferiorly from the bladder and ends prior to entering the prostate gland. This is no longer included in the latest classification of the anatomical parts of the male urethra.
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Pre-prostatic urethra
QuestionChoice
This passes through the bulb and corpus spongiosum of the penis, ending at the external urethral orifice. It is typically 15cm in length. It widens initially as it enters the bulb of the penis and again in the glans of the penis.
10014245
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Bulbous urethra
QuestionChoice
This is generally the widest part of the male urethra and is completely encompassed within the prostate gland. It is typically 3-4cm in length.
10014243
a
Prostatic urethra
Concept
Chapter
## Summary

The male urethra is an epithelium-lined tube that connects the base of the bladder to the external urethral meatus. It is approximately 20cm long and is incorperated within the prostate in parts. It's main funciton is to facilitate the transit of urine out of the body but also has a similar role in ejaculation.

## Anatomy

The male urethra has three sections.

- **Prostatic urethra** - the widest and most distensible part. 
	- It has a long ridge on its posterior wall known as the urethral crest. 
	- The prostatic urethra connects the neck of the bladder through the prostate gland. 
	- It is approximately 3cm in length and ends in the membranous urethra. 
	- The two openings of the ejaculatory duct lie on either side of the summit of the urethral crest. 
	- This portion of the urethra is lined with **transitional epithelium**. 
- **Membranous urethra** 
	- Connects the prostatic and penile urethra. 
	- It is the narrowest part of the urethra and is enclosed by the **external urethral sphincter**. 
	- The membranous urethra is named as such due to its course through the perineal membrane. 
	- It is approximately 1-2cm and is lined with **pseudostratified columnar** and **pseudostratified epithelium**.
- **Penile (spongy) urethra** 
	- It passes through the corpus spongiosum of the penis and terminates in the **external urethral orifice**. 
	- It is 15-25cm in length and receives secretions from the bulbourethral glands before dilating in the glans of the penis to create the navicular fossa. 
	- It is lined by **pseudostratified columnar epithelium** proximally and **nonkeratinising stratified squamous epithelium** distally.

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## Blood supply

Arterial supply depends on the portion:
- Prostatic - **inferior vesical artery**
- Membranous - **bulbourethral artery**
- Penile - **internal pudendal artery**

## Functions
Transit of:
- Urine from the bladder to the external urethral orifice
- Semen from the ejaculatory ducts and prostate to the external urethral orifice.

## Clinical points
- The most likely site of injury in traumatic urethral injury is the membranous urethra.
- Post-infection (most commonly gonorrheal) urethral stricture is most likely to affect the penile urethra.
3018
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2377
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2379
male urethra2.gif
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5001
Male urethra
Topic
237
Pelvic Anatomy
15395
Picture
1980
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Topic
237
Pelvic Anatomy
Which part of the male urethra is demonstrated here?

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a