Urethral crest

The urethral crest is an anatomical feature present in the urinary system of both males and females.

Urethral crest
The male urethra laid open on its anterior (upper) surface. (Urethral crest labeled at upper right.)
Dissection of prostate showing prostatic urethra and urethral crest on posterior wall
Details
Identifiers
Latincrista urethralis urethrae masculinae, crista urethralis urethrae femininae
TA98A09.2.03.004
A09.4.02.007
TA23430, 3446
FMA19718
Anatomical terminology

In males, the urethral crest is known as the crista urethralis masculinae, or the crista phallica, and is a longitudinal fold on the posterior wall of the urethra extending from the uvula of the bladder through the prostatic urethra.[1] It is from 15 to 17 mm. in length, and about 3 mm. in height, and contains muscular and erectile tissue. When distended, it may serve to prevent the passage of the semen backward into the bladder.[2]

In females, it is known as the crista urethralis femininae, and is a conspicuous longitudinal fold of mucosa on the posterior wall of the urethra.[3]

Additional images

References

  1. "Crista urethralis masculinae". biology-online.org.
  2. "Urethral Crest". Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
  3. "Crista urethralis femininae". biology-online.org.


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