In women and men, the urethra is an important part of the urinary system. The urinary tract is necessary for removing urine to the gap where urine leaves the body. The anatomy of the urinary canal in men and women has many differences. The urethra differs in length; in addition, the organ in men is a component of the reproductive system.
Structure of the urinary canal
The second name for the urethra (Latin) is urethra. The duct responsible for releasing urine into the external environment is located inside and looks like an elastic, soft tube. The walls of the tube consist of three layers:
- connecting outer layer;
- the middle layer is muscle;
- mucous membrane.
The male urethra is several times longer than the female urethra. The length of the male urethra is much larger than the female one, the average length is about 20-25 cm. It is hidden and divided into posterior and anterior sections. The anterior one is located away from the center, and the posterior urethra runs from the hidden opening to the cavernous body. The urethra in men can be visually divided into 3 components, described in the table:
| The structure of the urethra in men | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sections of the urethra | Components | Location | |||
| Prostatic part |
|
Duration 3 cm. The internal opening near the bladder is the beginning, then passes the prostate. At this point, small prostatic glands open into the canal | |||
| Membranous part |
|
||||
| Spongy part |
|
Duration 1–2 cm. Narrow and short, passes through muscle strips (urogenital diaphragm), forming a voluntary sphincter | |||
The stationary parts of the urethra in men are the prostatic and membranous sections, the spongy section is the moving segment.
Features of the structure of the organ in women
The structure of the female urethra makes it more prone to infections. The female urethra is open, its length is about 3-5 cm, and its width is 1-1.5 cm. The initial segment is located above the pelvic floor. Rushing forward, the female urethra passes the anterior wall of the elastic canal of the reproductive system (vagina) and the upper pubic bones. At the end of the female urethra, below the clitoris, is the external urethral meatus. The wide and short female urethra is located close to the vagina and anus, which makes women susceptible to inflammatory and infectious pathologies.
The inside of the canal in women is covered with mucous, collected in longitudinal folds, which make the diameter of the lumen smaller. Connective tissue consists of many elastic threads and a vaginal collection of veins various sizes. Together they form an obstructing pad that promotes closure of the duct.
Microflora
The process of microflora development begins during human birth. Once on the skin, microbes penetrate inside and are distributed into the internal organs, their membrane. Microorganisms remain on the mucous membrane; urine and internal secretions do not allow them to move further. Additional protection is provided by the ciliated epithelium. It is those living microorganisms that attach to the mucous membrane that form the innate microflora.
Features of female microflora
The acidic environment of a woman’s genitourinary organs protects against infections. The number of microorganisms in a woman is greater than in the body of the stronger sex. This difference is influenced by the structure of the urethra, gender characteristics and location. 90% of a healthy woman's microorganisms secrete acid. This is necessary to maintain an acidic environment, since as a result of the development of an alkaline environment, there is a risk of developing inflammatory processes. From birth, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli predominate. As the girl grows, the microorganisms change and coccal flora appears.
Features of male microflora
The microflora includes staphylococcus, streptococcus, and corynebacteria. From the moment of its inception throughout its existence, it does not change. The urethral urethra is characterized by a neutral alkaline environment, favorable for the life and development of staphylococci. This is the environment needed for sperm maturation. The set of microorganisms does not perform important tasks, but can change, which affects the development pathological complications.
Normal microflora of the urethra includes commensal bacteria (staphylococcus), rod-shaped bacteria, ureaplasma, and neisseria. Candida, chlamydia, and ureaplasma fungi are much less common. Microorganisms transmitted through sexual contact are considered particularly dangerous.
A common disease that occurs with inflammation of the urethra is urethritis in women. Appears as a result of infection of the genitourinary system, as well as non-infectious factors: injuries, diseases, allergies and a general decrease in immunity.
Urethritis is a consequence of inflammation of the urethra
What is the urethra and where is it located?
The urethra is the urethra, which is a straight tube 3-5 cm long. The female urethra is shorter and wider than the male urethra, and also has a simpler shape. It is surrounded by connective tissue, muscle and mucous membrane.
The urethra has the shape of a funnel, it has an expansion near the bladder, which decreases towards the external opening. The mucous membrane contains prismatic epithelium, which forms several folds, including the ridge of the urethra.
You can see what the structure of the urethra looks like in the photo.
Location of the urethra in the female body
The location of the urethra is parallel to the vagina: the urethra fuses with the anterior wall of the vagina and is located in front of it. The canal passes through the muscles located in the pelvic floor. Closer to the outside, the muscle tone around the urethra weakens.
Injury or infection of the urethra causes urethritis, an inflammation of the urethra, also known as urethral syndrome.
Classification of the disease
Main types of urethritis classification:
- By etiology: infectious and non-infectious type.
- By development: primary non-gonococcal and secondary.
- By distribution source: venereal and non-venereal.
- By specificity: specific and nonspecific.
- According to the stage of chronic disease: exacerbation, non-exacerbation.
- According to the clinical course: acute, subacute, torpid urethritis.
The degrees of manifestation, absence or presence of clinical symptoms are also distinguished.
Causes of inflammation of the urethra
Urethritis occurs as a result of infectious and non-infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, injuries of the urethra, decreased immunity and other factors.
Pregnancy is a non-infectious cause of urethritis
When these causes are eliminated, urethritis goes away on its own.
Symptoms of inflammation of the urethra
The main symptoms of urethral inflammation in women include:
- burning and pain during urination;
- redness and swelling of the labia, external urethral opening;
- discharge of pus, mucus and blood from the urethra;
- itching and burning of the external genitalia;
- weak aching pain in the lower abdomen of a spasmodic nature.
Itching and burning of the external genitalia in women may be signs of urethritis
Symptoms of urethritis are characteristic of many diseases of the genitourinary system. Only a qualified doctor can determine the exact disease with such signs.
Treatment of urethritis in women at home
Inflammation of the urethra is carried out using medications of various forms:
- pills;
- solutions;
- ointments and creams;
- intravaginal suppositories;
- intramuscular and intravenous injections.
Traditional recipes are used as auxiliary therapy.
When treating an inflammatory process in the urethra, the following recommendations are followed:
- Avoid spicy, salty, spicy, sweet and pickled foods.
- Avoid alcohol, even in small doses.
- Drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
- Include herbal teas, fruit drinks, and juices in your diet.
- Do not have sex, including with condoms.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Do not visit the pool, sauna, bathhouse.
- Do not engage in strenuous sports.
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is prescribed to treat various bacterial infections.
Traditional treatment
Traditional recipes used in the treatment of urethritis act as an addition to the main methods of therapy.
Herbal decoction
A mixture of herbs with an anti-inflammatory effect will help get rid of the infection. The following components can be added to the decoction:
- celandine grass;
- horsetail;
- sage;
- heather grass;
- wheatgrass;
- St. John's wort;
- motherwort;
- tansy.
To prepare the decoction, you need to mix 50-60 g of crushed herbs with 200 ml of hot water, put on fire and cook for 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, the mixture should be infused for 2-3 hours and 50 ml should be taken orally.
Birch juice
Drink birch sap in the morning to relieve inflammation of the urethra
Birch sap is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent that relieves inflammation of the genitourinary system of various origins.
To treat urethritis, take 100-200 ml of fresh birch sap in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Black currant
Drinks with black currant leaves and berries stimulate the flow of urine and have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Grind 150 g of peeled currant leaves.
- Pour 400 ml of hot water over the leaves.
- Infuse the drink for 2-3 hours.
You can make unsweetened fruit juice from currant berries. Also, leaves and berries can be added to regular tea.
Parsley infusion
The strong antiseptic effect of parsley will help in the fight against urethritis
Parsley leaves are greens with a strong antiseptic effect.
- Wash, dry, and chop the leaves of the plant.
- 1 tbsp. l. Dilute the plants in 500 ml of cold water.
- Leave the infusion overnight in a dark place.
The infusion is taken orally, 50 ml every 2-3 hours.
Flax seed infusion
Flax is an effective anti-inflammatory, cleansing and regenerating agent. It stimulates the outflow of urine, destroys pathogenic microorganisms, and restores the urethral mucosa.
- Pour 60 g of dried flax seeds into 400 ml of boiling water.
- Place the infusion in a dark place for 3 hours.
- Pour 25 ml of infusion into a glass, add 25 ml of water to it.
Flaxseed infusion is drunk 4-5 times a day.
Cornflower flowers
Blue cornflower is used in the treatment of edema, injuries and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, which include urethritis.
Cornflower flowers will help cope with inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system
- Pour 25 g of dried flowers into 200 ml of hot water.
- Infuse the mixture for 1-2 hours.
- Strain, cool and take orally.
Cornflower infusion is consumed 30 ml per day, 2 times a day before meals.
Bearberry infusion
Follow the rules of personal hygiene of the external genitalia to avoid the occurrence of urethritis
These methods of prevention will help avoid inflammation of the urethra and stop the development of the disease in the early stages.
The urethra is one of the few organs that are found in both the male and female bodies. In men, the urethra is the urethra through which a man defecates. In simple and accessible language, the urethra is a tube that is designed to drain urine from the bladder. Despite the fact that there is a urethra in both the male and female bodies, there are significant differences between them.
The male urethra is much more reliable in its structure in terms of protection from pathogenic flora, which cannot be said about the female body. The microflora in the urethra is also responsible for the health of the genitourinary system. Therefore, it is extremely important to know what the urethra in men is, what functions it performs, what microflora it is inhabited by, as well as possible diseases associated with the urethra.
The urethra is the canal in which is responsible for removing urine from the bladder. In medicine, it is indicated that the urethra is about 20 cm long and tube-shaped. The urethra passes through the spongy bodies of the male genital organ, and in addition to urine, sperm is also excreted during sexual intercourse. Doctors call the urethra the outlet from the bladder.
Accordingly, we can say that the urethra is the initial section of the urinary act. Visually, it resembles a hollow tube 16-24 cm long, while in women the urethra is much shorter, about half. In this regard, any diseases associated with the microflora of the urethra, men feel all the unpleasant sensations and symptoms much faster.
Where is it located?
The formation of the urethra occurs in utero; during this period, many factors influence the process. In adulthood, a man's urethra is diagnosed both in the pelvis and in the internal cavity of the penis (in the corpus spongiosum).
The external opening of the urethra is located on the head of the genital organ, after which it extends to the bladder. The posterior part of the urethra begins from the internal opening and ends at the seminal mound.
For reference! Interestingly, during an erection in a man, not only the size of the penis increases, but also the length of the urethra (by about a third).
Main functions
The urethra in men is primarily the most important component of the urinary system. It is a duct that is intended to empty the bladder of urine; through this tube, urine exits into the external environment. In a medical certificate, the urethra is also called the urethra, urine is called urine, and if in women the urethra performs the function of excreting urine, then in men another important function is assumed.
The second function is related to the reproductive system, since the urethra is located along the spongy bodies of the penis. Another important function is direct participation in ejaculation. Under the influence of appropriate processes during ejaculation, the urethra pushes the ejaculate out. Any diseases of the urethra can have an extremely negative impact on a man’s sexual activity and his ability to have children.
What structure does it have?
As medical practice shows, the male urethra can reach a length of up to 25 cm, which is facilitated by the erect state of the genital organ. From the inside, the opening of the urethra is connected to the bladder, and the external opening can be observed at the very top of the head of the male genital organ. Medicine also considers several sections in the structure of the urethra.
Namely:
- Prostate department- this section seems to penetrate the prostate gland to a depth of 3-4 cm. The mucous membrane has folds, and a ridge can be seen on its back wall. On each side of this ridge the openings of the ejaculatory ducts can be observed. The ridge itself smoothly passes into the seed mound.
- Department membranous— in medicine it has been established that this is the smallest section of the urethra, up to 2 cm long. It passes through the urogenital diaphragm, and is tightly fixed in its location by it. Thanks to this anatomy and structure, this section of the urethra is recognized as the least mobile.
- Spongy department- the longest section of the urethra, up to 20 cm long. The section begins from the bulb of the penis, after which it ends with an open hole on its head.
A feature of the anatomy and structure of the urethra is its uneven lumen and its diameter along its entire length. Medicine has also established that the urethra has an S-shaped curve.
Expert opinion
Elena Druzhnikova
Sexologist. Family relations expert. Family psychologist.
An expanded version of the structure of the male urethra is called structural anatomy. This includes the meatus or external opening, the scaphoid fossa, as well as the penile, bulbous, membranous and prostatic areas.
Male urethral microflora
Microflora in the body begins its formation immediately after birth. It is during labor and the birth of a child that microorganisms and germs enter his urethra. In general, medicine calls the main composition of the microflora of the female body - these are bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, then, as they grow older, the coccal flora is formed.
Do you regularly analyze the microflora of the urethra?
YesNo
In men, from the moment they appeared in the world, the microflora of the urethra remains unchanged. The composition of the microflora is streptococci, staphylococci, corynebacteria. If we consider the urethra, the microflora here consists of a neutral alkaline environment. This microflora is necessary for the formation of sperm, which are responsible for a man’s reproductive health. The flora of the urethra in a normal healthy state consists of several types of bacteria:
- rod-shaped bacteria;
- commensal;
- Neisseria;
- ureaplasma.
If the microflora in the urethra changes even from minimal levels, the risks of developing pathological complications increase. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, such disorders can negatively affect a man’s reproductive function. Some bacteria are passed from a man to his partner through sexual intercourse. And this already leads to diseases in women as well.
Main diseases of the urethra
Not only urine, but also the secretion produced by the prostate gland is responsible for the removal of harmful substances and toxins. In this regard, it becomes clear how important the state of the microflora and the normal functioning of the urethra are. As soon as a man experiences an imbalance of important bacteria in the urethra, all this is accompanied by extremely unpleasant symptoms.
Pathologies diagnosed by a urologist can be of the following nature:
- congenital anomalies of the development of the urethra, for example, incorrect location of the canal, closure of the external fissure, its incorrect location on the head of the penis;
- inflammation caused by infectious processes, be it vulvitis, urethritis, prostatitis, balanitis, posthitis, etc.;
- canal injuries;
- allergic reactions to irritants;
- tumors and neoplasms in the body;
- infections and diseases transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse.
If we consider congenital anomalies, they are always diagnosed during a woman’s pregnancy. Most of these diseases are corrected surgically from the very birth of the child. In other cases of diseases, timely treatment is also important, since the consequences are inevitable. Infectious and sexually transmitted diseases become chronic form, which is practically incurable.
Conclusion
The urethra in a man is an organ of the urinary and reproductive system, namely the urethra in the body. But in men it differs in length, structure and functional load. The maximum length can be 25 cm, this is facilitated by the erect state of the penis. The urethra not only removes urine, but also facilitates the release of ejaculate during ejaculation. Accordingly, any disease will affect not only the urinary, but also the reproductive system.
The urethra, or in professional language - the urethra, is the tube that serves to exit urine from the bladder. The urethra in the female and male half varies greatly. Due to the differences in the structure of the urethra, the female part of the population is more susceptible to various diseases than the male part. An important role in the normal functioning of the urethra in both sexes is played by the microflora present in it. The microorganisms inhabiting the female and male urethra also differ from each other.
The urinary canal in men and women is similar to a soft elastic tube, the walls of which are represented by 3 layers: the external connective layer, the muscular layer (middle layer) and the mucous membrane. The male urethra not only performs the urinary function, but also serves to release male semen.
The average length of the urethra ranges from 18 to 25 cm (depending on the individual characteristics of each person). The male urethra can be roughly divided into 2 parts: anterior and posterior, which are represented by 3 sections:
- Prostatic- has a length of about 3 cm. It includes tubules for the release of sperm and 2 ducts (prostate and for sperm removal).
- Membranous- has a length of about 2 cm. It extends through the urogenital diaphragm, which has a muscular sphincter.
- Spongy- is considered the longest section of the urethra and has a length of about 20 cm. The ducts of the bulbourethral glands (numerous small canals) enter the spongy section.
The male urethra originates from the urinary sac, then smoothly passes into the prostate gland. The urethra ends at the head of the genital organ, from where urine and ejaculatory fluid (sperm) are released.
You can also watch a video about the male urethra.
Anatomy and functions of the female urethra
The female urethra is designed like this:
- The female urethra is much shorter than the male, no more than 5 cm in length and about 1.8 cm in width.
- The urethra in women is directed forward, passes next to the elastic wall of the vagina and the pubic bone.
- At the end of the urethra, just below the clitoris, is its external opening.
- Inside the urethra there is a mucous membrane that looks like folds (longitudinal). Due to these folds, the lumen of the urethra appears smaller.
- Thanks to connective tissue, consisting of various vessels, veins and special elastic threads, an obstructing pad is formed that is capable of closing the duct of the canal.
The urethra serves a woman only to exit urine from the body. It does not perform any other functions. Due to the short and wide urethra, located next to the anus and vagina, women are more susceptible to various genitourinary infections.
You can see about the genitourinary system in women in this video.
Microflora in the urethra
At the moment of birth of a person, various microorganisms enter his skin, which then penetrate the body and settle on the internal organs and their mucous membranes.
Microbes attach to the mucous membranes, since they cannot spread further (they are prevented by the body's internal secretions and urine). In addition, the ciliated epithelium provides additional protection against bacteria. Those microbes that remain on the mucous membranes are the innate microflora of the body.
Among women There are many more different microorganisms on the mucous membrane of the urethra than in men:
- The urethra of the weaker sex is mainly dominated by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which secrete acid, thereby forming an acidic environment in the body.
- If for some reason these bacteria become insufficient, the acidic environment changes to an alkaline one, resulting in inflammatory processes.
- As the female body matures, the beneficial microflora is replaced by coccal ones.
The male urethra is home to:
- Staphylococci and streptococci, corynebacteria.
- In men, normal microflora remains unchanged throughout life.
- The composition of microflora can change due to frequent changes of sexual partners, so dangerous microorganisms that can cause serious diseases can penetrate into the human body.
- The presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Neisseria in the urethra is also considered normal.
- Ureaplasma, chlamydia, fungi of the genus Candida, and mycoplasma can be found in small quantities.
Diseases in women and men
The process of urine excretion in a healthy person occurs painlessly, without causing any inconvenience. If pathogenic microflora penetrates the urethra, an inflammatory process develops, and the act of excreting urine begins to be accompanied by pain, burning, itching and other unpleasant symptoms.
Inflammatory processes in the urethra can be:
- Specific. These include those diseases that were acquired sexually (chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis.
- Non-specific. The second include those diseases that arose due to the large (pathogenic) proliferation of streptococci, fungi, staphylococci and E. coli.
The most common cause of infection in the genital tract is a decrease in the protective functions of the body, simply put, human immunity. In addition, the following reasons influence the likelihood of the formation of inflammatory processes:
- hypothermia;
- urolithiasis disease;
- injuries in the genitourinary area;
- unbalanced diet;
- inflammatory processes occurring in chronic forms;
- frequent urinary retention;
- unsanitary conditions during medical procedures (taking a smear, inserting a catheter).
Urethritis
Inflammation in the urethra is called urethritis. The disease can have several types:
- Spicy. It occurs as a result of pathogens such as Trichomonas and gonococcus entering the body. In rare cases, the cause acute urethritis can be called an injury or a chemical irritant that enters the urethra.
- Chronic. It is also formed as a result of the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms (gonococcus or trichomonas), and can sometimes occur after birth trauma or when the urethra is damaged during sexual intercourse.
- Granular. The most common type of urethritis. Formed as a result of inflammatory processes occurring in the genital organs.
- Senile. Most often it affects women of menopausal age. The causes of urethritis are hormonal changes that occur in a woman’s body.
- Premenstrual. It occurs before the onset of menstruation and is caused by a sharp surge in hormones in the body.
- Allergic. May concern a person who is prone to allergic reactions to certain medications or foods.
Polyps
They are considered a benign formation that develops on the mucous membrane of the urethra. May occur with hormonal imbalance, chronic infectious inflammation, intestinal diseases:
- Urethral cancer
A rare disease of the urethra, mainly affecting the female population. It forms in any part of the urethra, but most often the cancer affects the external outlet of the urethra, located near the vulva.
- Rupture of the urethra
It is observed mainly in men. Occurs due to injury to the penis (fracture, bruise). Urethral rupture can be complete or partial. If there is a complete rupture, urine cannot leave the male body on its own, which can result in serious complications.
Signs of disease
Depending on the pathogen and the incubation period of the disease, the first signs may appear after several days or months. The patient feels pain during urination, severe pain, itching. The pain can spread not only to the lower abdomen and pubis, but also to the back or lower back.
Characteristic symptoms of inflammation of the urethra are:
The infectious process eventually spreads to the entire mucous membrane of the canal and over time can spread to other organs. The symptoms will only become more pronounced. If inflammation is not dealt with, there is a risk of serious health complications: for men it is inflammation of the testicles or prostate gland, for women it is inflammation, etc. Untreated inflammatory processes can cause infertility in both women and men.
Treatment
To successfully treat the inflammatory process in the urethra, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause that provoked the disease:
- A course of antibiotic therapy may take about a week.
- In addition to antibiotics, the patient may need painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, uroantiseptics.
- It is recommended to take vitamin-mineral complexes and immunomodulators.
- If a polyp is detected in the urethra, treatment can only be surgical.
- If the cause of the pathology of the urethra is condylomas, cryotherapy is used and further treatment is carried out. healthy image life.
- Cancerous growths in the urethra are treated with radiation and surgery. In case of incomplete rupture of the urethra, sometimes it is enough to undergo a course of antibiotic therapy and remain in bed for a certain time.
- If the rupture is complete, catheterization may be required to drain urine, as well as surgery.
In order to avoid inflammatory processes in the urethra, you need to follow simple rules:
- Since urethral diseases mainly occur due to promiscuity, you need to have a permanent partner who does not have health problems. Otherwise, protection methods such as a condom must be used.
- It is important to monitor personal hygiene of the genitals. After sexual intercourse, it is necessary to urinate, as urine helps flush out bacteria from the urethra.
- A person should also take care of his health: do not get too cold, empty a full bladder on time, eat right, drink a lot of water and herbal teas.
When carrying out any medical manipulations in the urethra (scraping, smear, catheterization), you must observe sanitary standards. Therefore, it is important to trust only an experienced specialist, otherwise you may get injured in the urethra. In addition, it is necessary to promptly identify and treat various diseases, which can form inflammatory processes in the urethra.