Male urethra
Male urethra
The male urethra extends from the bladder neck to the external meatus of the penis. It is approximately 20cm long.Sections of the male urethra
The male urethra is divided into 3 parts or sections:- 1. Prostatic urethra
- 2. Membranous urethra
- 3. Penile (Spongy) urethra
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Overview of male urethra anatomy
Prostatic urethra
The first section of the urethra* as the name suggests is the part of the urethra that travels through the prostate gland. It measures approximately 3cm and is the widest and most dilatable part. Ejaculatory ducts and prostatic ducts open into this part of the urethra.
Membranous urethra
The second section of the urethra where the urethra pierces the urogenital diaphragm. This section is surrounded by the external urethral sphincter. This is the shortest part of the urethra measuring approximately 1.5cm.Spongy (penile) urethra
The longest section of the urethra measuring approximately 15cm. The urethra dilates in the glans penis into the navicular fossa before terminating at the external meatus (which is the narrowest point of the urethra). Urethral and bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands open into this part of the urethra. | |
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*Note some texts quote the urethra as having a pre-prostatic part. Most sources consider the prostatic section the first section of the urethra and this is the model described in the RCEM syllabus.