II. Anatomy

  1. Transitional Epithelium (Urothelium)
    1. Lines the lower urinary tract (Bladder and proximal Urethra) as well as the upper tract (ureters and Kidneys)
      1. Distal Urethra is instead lined by stratified squamous epithelium
    2. Barrier to urinary tract toxins
    3. Multilayer cuboid Cell Structure allows the epithelium to expand and contract
    4. Disrupted by Trauma, infection, inflammation or obstruction
  2. Lamina propria (submucosa)
    1. Lies deep to the epithelium of the Urethra and Bladder
    2. Contains neurovacular structures, including Urethra and Bladder innervation
  3. Muscularis Propria (Detrusor Muscle)
    1. Bladder Smooth Muscle comprises the outer layer
  4. Images
    1. uroMaleUrethraXsGrayBB1142.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
    2. uroMaleUrethraGrayBB1156.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)

IV. Procedures

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies

Ontology: Urethra (C0041967)

Definition (FMA) Organ with organ cavity which connects the cavity of the urinary bladder to the exterior. Examples: There is only one urethra.
Definition (UWDA) Organ with organ cavity which connects the cavity of the urinary bladder to the exterior. Examples: There is only one urethra.
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) The tube through which urine leaves the body. It empties urine from the bladder.
Definition (NCI) The tube carrying urine from the bladder to outside of the body.
Definition (NCI_CDISC) The tube carrying urine from the bladder to outside of the body. (NCI)
Definition (CSP) membranous canal conveying urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body.
Definition (MSH) A tube that transports URINE from the URINARY BLADDER to the outside of the body in both the sexes. It also has a reproductive function in the male by providing a passage for SPERM.
Concepts Body Part, Organ, or Organ Component (T023)
MSH D014521
SnomedCT 13648007, 264255005
HL7 URTH
LNC LP30364-1, MTHU001321
English Urethra, Urethras, urethr(o)-, urethral structure, urethro, urethra, urethral, urethras, URETHRA, Urethral, Urethral structure, Urethral (qualifier value), Urethral structure (body structure), Urethra, NOS
Swedish Urinrör
Czech uretra, močová trubice
Finnish Virtsaputki
Russian URETRA, MOCHEISPUSKATEL'NYI KANAL, МОЧЕИСПУСКАТЕЛЬНЫЙ КАНАЛ, УРЕТРА
Croatian URETRA
Latvian Uretra
Polish Cewka moczowa
Norwegian Urinrør, Uretra
Spanish estructura uretral (estructura corporal), estructura uretral, uretral (calificador), uretral, uretra, Uretra
French Urètre
German Urethra, Harnröhre
Italian Uretra
Dutch Urethra, Urinebuis
Portuguese Uretra

Ontology: Male urethral structure (C0458452)

Definition (NCI) The 8 inch long tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside of the body exiting at the end of the penis.
Concepts Body Part, Organ, or Organ Component (T023)
SnomedCT 82841003
English Urethra masculina, urethra male, male urethra, Male urethra, Male urethral structure (body structure), Male urethral structure, Male Urethra
Spanish estructura de la uretra masculina (estructura corporal), estructura de la uretra masculina, uretra masculina