The membranous urethra is the short (about 1-2 cm) segment of the male urethra that passes through the deep perineal pouch, from the apex of the prostate to the bulb of the penis. It is surrounded by the external urethral sphincter. Apart from the external opening, it is the narrowest and least stretchy part of the urethra.
| Location | In the deep perineal pouch, between the prostatic apex and the perineal membrane |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Pudendal nerve (dorsal nerve of the penis and perineal branches); Prostatic plexus |
| Blood Supply | Artery of the bulb of the penis; Internal pudendal artery branches |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Conducts urine and semen through the pelvic floor and provides voluntary control of urine flow via its surrounding sphincter.
This segment is the most often injured in pelvic fractures, because it is fixed between the prostate and the perineal membrane. Damage to it or its sphincter during radical prostatectomy is a cause of post-operative incontinence. The bulbourethral glands lie on either side of it.
Disruption of the membranous urethra in pelvic fractures, causing blood at the meatus, inability to void and a high-riding prostate.
Leakage after prostate removal related to weakness of the sphincter mechanism around the membranous urethra.
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