Urethra
Kidney Health Care - David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
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The urethra is a part of the urinary tract, which allows urine from the bladder to pass outside the body during urination. In both males and females, the urethra is the last portion of the urinary tract.
The female and male urethra varies in length. The female urethra is about 4 centimeters long. The male urethra is longer, which measures about 15 to 20 centimeters long.
The Male and Female urinary tracts.
Disorder of the Urethra
The most common condition that affects the urethra is a urinary tract infection (UTI). An infection in the urethra is specifically termed as urethritis. The most common cause is bacterial infection. Urinary tract infection is usually treated with antibiotics.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NDDK), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Image Credit: NIDDK Image Library
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The female and male urethra varies in length. The female urethra is about 4 centimeters long. The male urethra is longer, which measures about 15 to 20 centimeters long.
Disorder of the Urethra
The most common condition that affects the urethra is a urinary tract infection (UTI). An infection in the urethra is specifically termed as urethritis. The most common cause is bacterial infection. Urinary tract infection is usually treated with antibiotics.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NDDK), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Image Credit: NIDDK Image Library
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Ureters
Kidney Health Care - David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
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The ureters are two tube-like structures that connect each kidney to the urinary bladder. Each ureter measures about 8 to 10 inches long.
Function of the ureters
The ureters help carry urine formed in the kidneys to the bladder. Small amounts of urine are emptied into the bladder from the ureters about every 10 to 15 seconds.
Problems or disorders of the ureter
Infection (urinary tract infection) can cause the ureter to become inflamed. The inflammation of the ureter is called ureteritis. It is commonly caused by bacteria that have traveled from the bladder up to the ureter. Ureteritis along with the other types of urinary tract infection are treated with antibiotics.
Hydroureter. Sometimes, a birth defect can cause swelling of the ureters. Swelling of the ureters is termed hydroureter.
Ureterocele. If the end of the ureter does not develop normally, it can bulge, creating what is called a ureterocele. The ureterocele may obstruct part of the kidney or the bladder.
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Normally, the openings where the ureters empty urine into the bladder work like valves to keep urine from backing up into the ureters. However, sometimes the valve doesn’t work properly and urine flows back into the kidneys. The urine may flow only a short way back into the ureters, or it may go all the way back to the kidneys, causing the ureters and kidneys to swell. VUR may occur in only one ureter or in both. Kidneys with severe reflux may not develop normally, and after birth kidneys with reflux may be at risk for damage from infections.
Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. The point where the ureter joins the kidney is called the ureteropelvic junction. If urine is blocked here, only the kidney swells. The ureter remains at a normal size. UPJ obstruction usually only occurs in one kidney.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Image Credit: NIDDK Image Library
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Function of the ureters
The ureters help carry urine formed in the kidneys to the bladder. Small amounts of urine are emptied into the bladder from the ureters about every 10 to 15 seconds.
Problems or disorders of the ureter
Infection (urinary tract infection) can cause the ureter to become inflamed. The inflammation of the ureter is called ureteritis. It is commonly caused by bacteria that have traveled from the bladder up to the ureter. Ureteritis along with the other types of urinary tract infection are treated with antibiotics.
Hydroureter. Sometimes, a birth defect can cause swelling of the ureters. Swelling of the ureters is termed hydroureter.
Ureterocele. If the end of the ureter does not develop normally, it can bulge, creating what is called a ureterocele. The ureterocele may obstruct part of the kidney or the bladder.Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Normally, the openings where the ureters empty urine into the bladder work like valves to keep urine from backing up into the ureters. However, sometimes the valve doesn’t work properly and urine flows back into the kidneys. The urine may flow only a short way back into the ureters, or it may go all the way back to the kidneys, causing the ureters and kidneys to swell. VUR may occur in only one ureter or in both. Kidneys with severe reflux may not develop normally, and after birth kidneys with reflux may be at risk for damage from infections.
Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. The point where the ureter joins the kidney is called the ureteropelvic junction. If urine is blocked here, only the kidney swells. The ureter remains at a normal size. UPJ obstruction usually only occurs in one kidney.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Image Credit: NIDDK Image Library
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