The female urethra is a single narrow tube-like structure that transports urine from the urinary bladder (Read more!) to the external environment. In contrast to the male urethra, the female urethra has only one function - it transports and discharges urine from the body.

The female urethra is short - only about 1.57 inches (4 cm) long. This length difference between males and females also explains why females tend to get urinary tract infections more often than males - it takes a shorter amount of time and distance for microbes to travel through it. The inner diameter of the urethra in females is about 0.24 inches (6 mm).

The female urethra can be subdivided into two parts: intramural and membranous.

The intramural part is the initial portion that extends inferiorly from the urinary bladder and goes through the wall of the bladder neck. It is surrounded by the internal urethral sphincter (involuntary sphincter).
In contrast, the membranous part goes through the pelvic floor and is surrounded by the external urethral sphincter (voluntary sphincter).

Like in males, the posterior wall of the female urethra also presents with a vertical elevated ridge - the urethral crest. However, it is much less pronounced in females than males and is mainly a subtle anatomical feature rather than a functional structure.

In contrast to males, the course of the female urethra is straight, and it is embedded in the anterior wall of the vagina (Read more!). Overall, the female urethra is directed obliquely downward and forward. It opens on the vulva anterior to the vaginal orifice via the external urethral orifice. The external urethral orifice is found approximately 0.98 inches (2.5 cm) posterior to the glans of the clitoris.

On either side of the distal portion of the urethra opens two ducts known as the paraurethral ducts (Skene's ducts). They drain pea-sized paraurethral glands (Skene's glands). These glands are considered the female equivalent of the male prostate, and during sexual intercourse, they release mucus-containing secretions that can contribute to lubrication.

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Female urethra