urethra /yo͝orē″thrə/ [Gk, ourethra] , a small tubular structure that drains urine from the bladder. In women it is about 3 cm long and lies directly behind the symphysis pubis, anterior to the vagina. In men it is about 20 cm long and begins at the bladder, passes through the center of the prostate gland, goes between two sheets of tissue connecting the pubic bones, and finally passes through the urinary meatus of the penis. In men the urethra is joined by the ejaculatory duct and serves as a passageway for semen during ejaculation, as well as a canal for urine during voiding. See also ureter.
