Human Anatomy Part 1 - K. A. Dyubenko, A. K. Kolomiytsev, Yu. B. Chaykovsky 2002

Special Part
Urinary System, systema urinarium — General Overview
Urinary Organs — Female Urethra — Structure of the Female Urethra

The female Urethra (urethra feminina) is a short, slightly curved tube 4–5 cm long and 8–12 mm in diameter. It begins at the Urinary Bladder via the internal urethral orifice (ostium urethrae internum) and opens anterior to the vaginal opening through the external urethral orifice (ostium urethrae externum). Following urination, the anterior and posterior walls of the urethra come into contact. As it passes through the urogenital Diaphragm, the urethra is encircled by the urethral sphincter Muscle (m. sphincter urethrae).

The wall of the female urethra consists of mucous, submucous, and muscular layers. The mucous membrane (tunica mucosa) lines the interior of the urethra and features longitudinal folds along with urethral lacunae (lacunae urethrales) scattered across its surface. Urethral glands (gll. urethrales) are embedded within the mucosa. Some of these glands open via ducts (ductus paraurethrales) located in the anterior part of the urethra. The submucous layer (tela submucosa) is rich in venous microvessels that also extend into the muscular layer.

The muscular layer (tunica muscularis) lies external to the mucosa and is formed by smooth muscle fibers arranged in two layers: an inner circular layer (stratum circulare) and an outer longitudinal layer (stratum longitudinale). The circular layer merges with the muscular coat of the urinary bladder, surrounds the internal urethral orifice to form an involuntary sphincter, whereas in the region where the urethra traverses the urogenital diaphragm, the muscle fibers form a voluntary sphincter known as the m. sphincter urethrae.

Blood supply is provided by Branches of the inferior vesical and internal pudendal Arteries. Venous drainage occurs via the vesical venous plexus into the internal iliac vein.

Lymphatic vessels from the upper half of the canal drain into the internal iliac Lymph Nodes, while those from the lower half drain into the inguinal lymph nodes.

Innervation of the urethra is supplied by branches of the pudendal nerve (n. pudendus) and the pelvic plexus (plexus pelvicus).



Last update: 08/08/2026

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