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Prostatic urethra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prostatic urethra
The male urethra laid open on its anterior (upper) surface. (Prostatic part labeled at upper right.)
1: Vas deferens
2: Seminal vesicle
3: Base of the prostate
4: Apex of the prostate
5: Prostatic urethra
Details
Identifiers
Latinpars prostatica urethrae
TA98A09.4.02.004
TA23445
FMA19673
Anatomical terminology

The prostatic urethra, the widest and most dilatable part of the urethra canal, is about 3 cm long.

It runs almost vertically through the prostate from its base to its apex, lying nearer its anterior than its posterior surface; the form of the canal is spindle-shaped, being wider in the middle than at either extremity, and narrowest below, where it joins the membranous portion.

A transverse section of the canal as it lies in the prostate is horse-shoe-shaped, with the convexity directed forward.

The keyhole sign, in ultrasound, is associated with a dilated bladder and prostatic urethra.

Additional images

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References

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Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1234 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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