The urethra is a continuation of the bladder. It is in the area of the bubble transition into the urethra that the inner hole of the urethra is located. This structure ends with an external opening of the urethra, which is located near the entrance to the vagina.
Anatomy of the urethra
In women, the anatomical structure of the urethra is characterized by some differences from the urethra of men. The female urethra can be compared to a short tube. It is known that this organ is much shorter and larger in diameter than in men.
The urethra is slightly curved posteriorly. Therefore, there is a close contact with the anterior wall of the vagina. It is due to such features of the structure of the female urethra with inflammatory diseases of the vagina that dysuric disorders often develop. And, on the contrary, with inflammation in the urethra, there is a sensation of sharp soreness and discomfort during intimacy. In addition, the causative agent of infection can pass from the vagina to the urethra.
The wall of the urethra is formed by the following layers:
- Mucous membrane, which forms folds and in it are located glands.
- The muscular membrane is formed by bundles of muscle fibers. The circular direction of the fibers in the region of the inner opening forms the involuntary sphincter of the urethra, and at the site of the urethra through the muscles of the pelvic floor an arbitrary sphincter forms.
The functions of the urethra are few. The main and only task of the urethra is the excretion of urine from the body.
Diseases and pathological conditions of the urethra
In women, all diseases of the urethra can be divided into the following groups:
- Inflammatory diseases.
- Congenital defects in the structure of the urethra.
- Functional disorders of neuromuscular regulation.
- Urethral stricture .
- Benign neoplasms (this group includes paraurethral cysts, polyps).
- Cancer.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane is called urethritis. The cause of this condition is pathogenic microorganisms that enter the urethra. Symptoms may vary depending on the activity of the pathological process. The most characteristic are pain, a burning sensation and frequent urination.
With cancer, in addition to sharp soreness and dysuric phenomena, there are bleeding from the urethra.
Damage to the sphincter apparatus of the urethra and violation of neuromuscular regulation lead to the development of urinary incontinence.
Anomalies of the urethra are rare. But nevertheless it is necessary to remember about their possible existence. They include:
- congenital partitions located in the lumen of the urethra;
- congenital infection of the urethra (the condition requires surgery in the first days after birth);
- congenital areas of narrowing of the urethra;
- doubling the urethra;
- diverticulum ;
- cyst of the urethra.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the changes occurring with the urethra in women are normal. In childhood, the urethra is wide (about 3 cm), but as it develops, the diameter of its lumen decreases to 1 cm. The formation of sphincters ends only by 12 years. The age-related features of the urethra include the reverse development and atrophy of the paraurethral glands. These glands are able to secrete substances that protect the urethra from the ingress of microorganisms.