The female urethra is a short tube, about 4 cm long, running from the bladder neck to the external urethral opening in the vestibule, just in front of the vaginal opening. It lies against the front wall of the vagina. It carries only urine.
| Location | From the bladder neck, through the pelvic floor, embedded in the anterior vaginal wall, to the external urethral orifice in the vestibule |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Vesical plexus; Pudendal nerve |
| Blood Supply | Internal pudendal artery; Vaginal artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Carries urine from the bladder to the outside and, with its sphincter mechanism, maintains continence.
Its short length and nearness to the vagina and anus explain why women get bladder infections far more often than men. Stress urinary incontinence, leaking with coughing or exercise, occurs when the urethra loses its support from the pelvic floor and ligaments, often after childbirth. Paraurethral glands open beside its outer end and can form cysts or diverticula.
Leakage with coughing, sneezing or exercise from weak urethral support or sphincter function; treated with pelvic floor training or surgery.
A pouch off the urethra, often from an infected paraurethral gland, causing dribbling, pain and recurrent infection.
A small benign fleshy growth at the urethral opening, common after menopause.
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