Where it is
About 4 cm long in women, opening in front of the vagina; about 18–20 cm long in men, passing through the prostate and penis.
What it does
Drains urine and, in men, also carries semen.
Clinical relevance
- The short female urethra close to the anus explains the higher rate of UTIs in women.
- Prostate enlargement compresses the male urethra.
Nursing focus
- Female catheter insertion: about 5–7.5 cm (2–3 in) until urine flows; male: about 17–22.5 cm (7–9 in).
- Use sterile technique for catheter insertion.