During urination, urine is emptied from the bladder through the urethra. The external opening of the urethra is called the meatus.

In males, the urethra is about 20 cm long. It runs through the prostate gland and penis. It also serves as the passageway for the emission of seminal fluid. (You can learn more about this in Module 10.)

In females, the urethra is shorter, about 4 cm long. It is embedded in the upper vaginal wall.