urethra

[ yoo-ree-thruh ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural u·re·thrae [y, oo, -, ree, -three], u·re·thras.

1. the membranous tube that extends from the urinary bladder to the exterior and that in the male conveys semen as well as urine.

urethra

/ jʊˈriːθrə /

noun

1. the canal that in most mammals conveys urine from the bladder out of the body. In human males it also conveys semen

urethra

/ y-rē′thrə /

, Plural urethras y-rē′thrē

1. The duct through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body in most mammals and some fish and birds. In males, the urethra passes through the penis and also serves as the duct for the release of sperm, which enter the urethra from the vas deferens.

urethra

1. A tube through which urine moves from the urinary bladder out of the body. In the male, the urethra also acts as the passageway for semen .

Derived Forms

• uˈrethral, adjective

Other Words From

• u·re·thral adjective
• sub·u·re·thral adjective
• trans·u·re·thral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of urethra¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin ūrēthra, from Greek ourḗthra, equivalent to ourē- + -thra noun suffix; ureter

Word History and Origins

Origin of urethra¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek ourēthra, from ourein to urinate

Example Sentences

While there are urban legends of the fish swimming up the urethras of some people, this has only been documented once and under controversial circumstances.

From Salon

These measures track the roles of surface tension, gravity and inertia in how fluids are excreted from a tube like the urethra.

From New York Times

A typical remedy is to stretch or dilate the urethra, a minimally invasive procedure that is often performed with general anesthesia, Dr. Lepor said.

From New York Times

And, unexpectedly, a test done in the hospital — perhaps a blood test or an X-ray or an examination of the urethra and the bladder — finds a cancer.

From New York Times

Medical experts said that the most common treatment was a transurethral resection of the prostate, in which a surgeon scrapes out the inside of the prostate gland, giving the urethra more space.

From New York Times