Urethra

In anatomy, the urethra (from Greek οὐρήθρα – ourḗthrā) is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus for the removal of urine from the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis and also carries semen. In human females and other primates, the urethra connects to the urinary meatus above the vagina, whereas in marsupials, the female's urethra empties into the urogenital sinus.Position of the urethra in malesTransverse section of the penisMale urethral opening on glans penisFemale urethral opening within vulval vestibuleMuscles of the female perineumUrethra. Deep dissection. Serial cross section.Diagram which depicts the membranous urethra and the spongy urethra of a male In anatomy, the urethra (from Greek οὐρήθρα – ourḗthrā) is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus for the removal of urine from the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis and also carries semen. In human females and other primates, the urethra connects to the urinary meatus above the vagina, whereas in marsupials, the female's urethra empties into the urogenital sinus. Females use their urethra only for urinating, but males use their urethra for both urination and ejaculation. The external urethral sphincter is a striated muscle that allows voluntary control over urination. The internal sphincter, formed by the involuntary smooth muscles lining the bladder neck and urethra, is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. The internal sphincter is present both in males and females. In the human male, the urethra is about 8 inches (20 cm) long and opens at the end of the external urethral meatus. The urethra provides an exit for urine as well as semen during ejaculation.