Urethral crest
Anatomical feature of the urinary system
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
| Latin | crista urethralis urethrae masculinae, crista urethralis urethrae femininae |
| TA98 | A09.2.03.004 A09.4.02.007 |
| TA2 | 3430, 3446 |
| FMA | 19718 |
| 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
Vesiculæ seminales and ampullæ of ductus deferentes, seen from the front
