2.5 – Female urethra and urethral sphincter

The female urethra has only one function which is micturition of urine.

The female urethra has a length of 4-6cm, and is a straight tube which angles slightly backwards towards the anus. It is important to understand this when undertaking catheterisation.

^{Figure 2.4: Female bladder showing the position the ureters enter the bladder, the trigone and the sphincters.}

In females there is an intrinsic sphincter which extends down from the bladder neck to the mid urethra in the urethral wall.  In addition, the pelvic floor provides an external sphincter: skeletal muscle under the voluntary control of the somatic nervous system.

This muscle can be exercised and will strengthen with pelvic floor exercises.

Compared to males, females are more at risk of problems with their urinary continence, as they have a short urethra and only one bladder neck sphincter.