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How does the female urethra function differently from the male urethra?

Answer:

The female and male urethra function in the same way for urinary elimination. The female urethra is shorter in length than a male's, with the female urethra approximately 1 1/2 inches long and the male urethra approximately 8 inches long. Therefore, females can be more vulnerable to urinary tract and bladder infections since the pathway for germs from outside the body is shorter in females. Both males and females have sphincter muscles at the base of the bladder that control the release of the urine from the bladder to the urethra.

In males, the urethra also functions as a tube for the release of semen in ejaculation. Their urethras intersect with the vas deferens, the tube that moves semen from the reproductive organs, at the area of the prostate gland. A valve at the base of the urethra directs the flow of either urine or semen through the urethral tube.

First answer by Jbaker5791. Last edit by D4est. Contributor trust: 1251 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 23 [recommend question].

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