The urethra (also known as the urethra) is the excretory duct. Through it, urine comes out of the bladder. In men, secrets from the gonads are also removed through the urethra.
The urethra is in the form of a cylinder. Its length in women and men is different.
The female urethra originates from an opening in the bottom of the bladder, then passes below and behind the pubic joint, then pierces (passes through) the urogenital diaphragm. Outwardly, the duct opens under the clitoris between the labia. The female urethra has a length of about 2.5 to 4 centimeters.
In men, the urethra has the form S. The urethra begins from the hole in the bottom of the bladder, then passes through the prostate (prostate gland). Then begins the membranous section of the urethra - the shortest and narrowest. It passes through the pelvic diaphragm. After begins the spongy area, located in the penis between the corpora cavernosa. The fixed part of the male urethra consists of a webbed and prostatic area. From the penis-ligament hanging penis, a moving portion of the duct originates. The seed tubercle is located in the prostate of the urethra, on its posterior wall, on the lateral surfaces are the mouths of the ducts that carry the seed, and holes in the prostatic glands. At the beginning of the spongy area there is a thickening - the urethral bulb. At this point, the exit channels of the cooper (bulbourethral) and mucous glands pass. The scaphoid fossa is the most peripheral part of the urethra. Here are the mucous glands (Litre-shaped clusters).
Damage to the mucosa provokes inflammation of the urethra (urethritis).
Depending on the causes, specialists divide urethritis into infectious and non-infectious. Mycoplasma, chlamydia, gonococcal, trichomonas, mixed, candidomycotic are referred to the first category. Infectious urethritis may be specific or non-specific.
Non-infectious inflammation of the duct can be triggered by mechanical injuries of the canal, burns of the mucosa, iatrogenic (medical) injuries (administration of drugs, bougieurage). In addition, non-infectious urethritis often occurs as a result of allergic reactions, due to metabolic disorders.
Inflammation in the urethra can have a subacute, chronic or acute course. Exacerbations may also occur.
The development of inflammation in the urethra depends on the condition of the mucosa. The affected area of the membrane is a favorable environment for the penetration of harmful microorganisms that provoke a pathological process.
In the acute period, urethritis is accompanied by profuse, turbid yellow or pale yellow discharge from the urethra. At the same time, patients experience itching, pain, discomfort in the urethral region, which, as a rule, are amplified during the process of emptying.
On examination, a tumor of the urethral sponges, swelling is detected. Palpation of the urethra causes pain. The urine of the first portion is cloudy, in some cases it contains mucous filaments and elements of pus. Lesions of the posterior portion of the urethra (intravesical or prostate) are accompanied by frequent urges. This is due to impaired sphincter function.
The chronic course of urethritis is accompanied by a more erased clinical picture than in the acute course. Discharge from the duct is insignificant, appearing most often in the morning. In addition, discomfort in the urethral region, including pain, soreness, is less pronounced. However, symptoms may worsen after sexual contact, drinking, but, as a rule, gradually return to their original state.