The urethra
Urethra · urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
What it does
The urethra runs from the bottom of the bladder to the outside. In men it is about 20 centimetres long, passes through the prostate and the penis, and also carries semen. In women it is only about 4 centimetres long. Rings of muscle around it keep it closed until you urinate.
Surprising fact
Because the female urethra is so short, bacteria can reach the bladder more easily, which is why bladder infections are much more common in women.
Why it matters
Drinking enough water and not holding on for too long help flush bacteria out and reduce the risk of infection.
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Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.