How does the length of the male urethra compare to that of the female urethra?
Solution
Correct Answer: Option B
- The length of the male urethra is significantly longer than that of the female urethra.
- This is primarily due to the anatomical differences between males and females.
- In males, the urethra extends from the bladder through the penis, serving both the urinary and reproductive systems, which results in an average length of about 20 cm.
- In contrast, the female urethra is much shorter, averaging around 4 cm, and serves only the urinary system.
- This difference in length has clinical significance, as the shorter female urethra makes women more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to the closer proximity of the urethral opening to the external environment and the shorter distance bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.
- In summary, the male urethra is longer than the female urethra because it passes through the length of the penis and functions in both the urinary and reproductive systems, while the female urethra is shorter and solely part of the urinary system.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd Edition, Urinary System, Chapter 38
- This is primarily due to the anatomical differences between males and females.
- In males, the urethra extends from the bladder through the penis, serving both the urinary and reproductive systems, which results in an average length of about 20 cm.
- In contrast, the female urethra is much shorter, averaging around 4 cm, and serves only the urinary system.
- This difference in length has clinical significance, as the shorter female urethra makes women more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to the closer proximity of the urethral opening to the external environment and the shorter distance bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.
- In summary, the male urethra is longer than the female urethra because it passes through the length of the penis and functions in both the urinary and reproductive systems, while the female urethra is shorter and solely part of the urinary system.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd Edition, Urinary System, Chapter 38
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