Male Urinary Organ Anatomy

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An understanding of the anatomy of the male urinary organs, namely the male urethra and penis, is crucial to the diagnosis and treatment of urologic conditions. The kidney anatomy, ureter anatomy, and bladder anatomy are similar in males and females, as discussed in the respective articles. Most sex differences in the urinary tract begin at the bladder neck and continue distally, with the exception of the vas deferens (see the image below), which is shown crossing the distal ureter. This article reviews the basic anatomy of the male urinary organs and common anatomical variants, along with the issues they may present. 

This section reviews the gross anatomy of the male urinary tract. Starting with the prostate and moving distally through the lower urinary tract, each male-specific organ is discussed. Links to other relevant articles with more in-depth information are provided. 

Urethra

The urethra is a tubular structure that carries urine distally from the bladder, through the prostate, and out of the penis. It begins just after the bladder neck, where the internal urethral sphincter is located, which is comprised of smooth muscle fibers from the bladder (Detrusor) muscle. The urethra is considerably longer in males than in females, with a length of approximately 17-20 cm and 2.5-4 cm, respectively. ^[1]  The male urethra has 4 sections, which start proximally with the prostatic urethra, the membranous urethra, the bulbar urethra, and the pendulous (or penile) urethra, which are reviewed in the Urethral Anatomy article.

Proximal to the bladder neck, male and female urinary anatomy is grossly similar. However, distal to the bladder neck, where the prostate is located, significant differences in the urinary tract are noted. Briefly, the presence of the prostate, above the pelvic floor and below the bladder, is unique to males and reviewed in the Prostate Anatomy article. At the apex of the prostate is the pelvic floor, which consists of the levator ani muscle complex. This is the border at which the prostatic urethra transitions to the membranous urethra. 

The membranous urethra is the segment of urethra immediately distal to the prostatic urethra. It is contained within the levator ani muscle complex that comprises the pelvic floor. Additionally, the membranous urethra also represents the segment of urethra that is surrounded by the external urethral sphincter, which plays a key role in continence following radical prostatectomy. 

This segment of urethra begins immediately distal to the membranous urethra and represents the first urethral segment that is invested by corpus spongiosum. Additionally, the bulbar urethra is surrounded by the bulbocavernosus (or bulbospongiosus) muscles, which contract to compress this segment of urethra and facilitate expulsion during ejaculation. Immediately distal to the bulbar urethra is the pendulous or penile urethra. 

The penile urethra runs through the penis, within the corpus spongiosum. The urethra exits distally through the glans penis, within which it becomes the fossa navicularis (or glanular urethra). The opening of the urethra on the tip of the glans penis is the urethral meatus. Further information can be found in the Penile Anatomy article. See the image below.

The penis is the external genitourinary organ of the male and is largely comprised of 3 cylindrical bodies, capped distally with the glans penis. One of the cylindrical bodies is the corpus spongiosum, which envelopes the bulbar and penile urethra, becoming symmetric in its covering of the urethra within the penis. The corpus spongiosum then becomes the glans penis distally. Upon erection, the corpus spongiosum engorges to compress the urethral lume and facilitate higher emission velocity, while the glans engorges to facilitate penetrative intercourse and absorb impact during thrusting. The corpus spongiosum protects the urethra and facilitates urethral blood flow. See the image below.

The remaining 2 cylindrical bodies are the paired corpora cavernosa. Each corporus cavernosum is contained within a fibrous tissue layer called the tunica albuginea, which serves to support the engorged corpora cavernosa during erection as they fill with blood near arterial pressure. The corpora cavernosa serve no urinary function. See the image below.

Overlying these cylindrical structures are the deep penile (Buck’s) fascia and superficial perineal (Colles’s) fascia superficial to this, which extends from the membranous superficial fascia (Scarpa’s) of the abdominal wall. Overlying this is the penile skin, which is naturally redundant and elastic, such that it can expand during erection and retract when nonerect to facilitate urination. 

The penis is a highly vascular organ that is also rich with innervation. Most sensation in the penis is conveyed via the paired dorsal nerves, which are coupled with arteries as neurovascular bundles traveling bilateral to the dorsal most aspect of the penis. The nerves responsible for erection are terminal branches within the penis and are located throughout the stroma inside the corpora cavernosa where they stimulate erection through a complex molecular cascade. 

The internal iliac arteries give rise to the bilateral internal pudendal arteries, which subsequently give rise to the common penile arteries that perfuse the penis and most of the urethra. Accessory arteries may also supply this from the obturator or inferior vesicle arteries, among others. The common penile artery branches into the dorsal, cavernous, and bulbourethral arteries. Circumflex arteries provide communication between the dorsal artery and corpus spongiosum or bulbourethral artery at varying points along the length of the penis. The cavernous artery supplies the corpora cavernosa, the dorsal artery supplies the skin and glans, and the bulbourethral artery supplies the urethra and glans. See the image below.

Venous return in the penis largely mirrors that of arterial supply. The deep dorsal vein drains into the periprostatic plexus, while the bulbar and cavernous veins coalesce into the internal pudendal vein. Additionally, the superficial dorsal vein drains into the femoral vein via the superficial external pudendal vein. See the image below.

Corpora cavernosa

The corpora cavernosa are made up of smooth muscle septae interweaved within and around vascular cavities. The tunica albuginea, which surround the corpora cavernosa are comprised of 2 layers of tough connective tissue. The deep layer of tunica albuginea is comprised of circularly-oriented fibers, while the superficial layer is comprised of fibers longitudinally oriented along the penis. 

Corpus spongiosum 

The corpus spongiosum also has septae, but is considerably smaller in diameter. Also, the corpus spongiosum has no tunical investment to constrain it and produce rigidity during erection. The urethral mucosa varies along the length of the penis. Proximally, it is lined by urothelium (transitional epithelium), and distally, it is lined by squamous epithelium.

Many variants of the male urinary organs are diagnosed and treated in childhood, likely due to the external nature of the penis and routine pre-natal screening in developed countries. Such congenital anomalies can occur anywhere throughout the urinary tract. This section covers male-specific pathophysiologic variants of the lower urinary tract. 

Proximal urethra

Often detected now on prenatal screening, posterior urethral valves are obstructive “flaps” of tissue in the distal prostatic urethra that impede urine flow. As a result, they can interfere with fetal urination, which alters amniotic fluid levels and also lead to urinary tract obstruction and renal damage due to back pressure on the kidneys.  

Another condition that can occur is urethral atresia, which is oftentimes associated with other genetic and congenital conditions. This can result in changes similar to those seen with urethral valves. Urethral atresia can be seen in Prune Belly syndrome, among other conditions. 

Urethral strictutres can also occur congenitally; however, they are uncommon. More often, strictures of the urethra result from iatrogenic injury. This may occur as a result of difficult urethral catheter placement or surgical trauma. Otherwise, trauma, and specifically saddle injuries, are common causes of stricture in childhood. 

Distal urethra

A more common urethral condition is hypospadias. In this condition, the urethra may end anywhere from the ventral aspect of the glans, through the ventral surface of the penis, to the perineum, depending on the severity of the condition. The urethral meatus is located wherever the urethra ends.

Less common than hypospadias is epispadias. In this condition, the urethra may end anywhere from the dorsal aspect of the glans through the dorsal surface of the penis. This may be associated with bladder exstrophy, which also imparts numerous other congenital malformations. Again, the urethral meatus is located where the urethra ends. 

Narrowing of the urethral meatus is meatal stenosis and is most often an iatrogenic development. This is more common in circumcised than uncircumcised men. In infants, it is thought to result from irritation of the glans and meatus following exposure during circumcision, which results in scarring and narrowing of the meatus. A deviated urinary stream is common with this condition. 

Penis 

The length of the male urethra may vary from person to person and depends on numerous factors. The penile urethra has the most variation in length compared with other urethral segments. Congenitally short penis is termed microphallus and may occur in the setting of hormonal or other congenital conditions. If abnormalities of the testicles are noted in conjunction with a microphallus, workup for a disorder of sexual differentiation should be considered. 

Congenital curvature of the penis can also occur. Most commonly this is chordee, which is in the ventral direction, is in association with hypospadias, and is a result of tethering on the ventral aspect of the penis. Otherwise, congenital penile curvature can result from disproportion of the corpora cavernosa, which often results in a lateral curvature and an elongated penis. 

Scanlon VC. Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. 6th ed. F.A. Davis Company: 2011.

Tanagho EA. Smith’s General Urology. 17th ed. McGraw-Hill: 2008.

Brooks JD. Anatomy of the lower urinary tract and male genitalia. Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA. Campbell Walsh-Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Vol 1: Sect 1, Chap 2, pp 61-63.

Reynard J. Oxford Handbook of Urology. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press: 2009.

Bradley C Gill, MD, MS Chief Resident, Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute; Clinical Instructor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Education Institute; Consulting Staff, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Bradley C Gill, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, International Society of Urology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ryan K Berglund, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery (Urology), Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Ryan K Berglund, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, Endourological Society, Ohio State Medical Association, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Society of Urologic Oncology, American Association of Clinical Urologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Thomas R Gest, PhD Professor of Anatomy, Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Martha K Terris, MD, FACS Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, Director, Urology Residency Training Program, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; Professor, Department of Physician Assistants, Medical College of Georgia School of Allied Health; Chief, Section of Urology, Augusta Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Martha K Terris, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Urological Association, Association of Women Surgeons, New York Academy of Sciences, Society of Government Service Urologists, Society of University Urologists, Society of Urology Chairpersons and Program Directors, Society of Women in Urology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Zachary W A Klaassen, MD Resident Physician, Department of Urology, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University; Visiting Professor of Anatomy, St George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ankur M Manvar Medical College of Georgia

Ankur M Manvar is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Urological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

James H Wallace, PA-C Medical College of Georgia

James H Wallace, PA-C is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, Christian Medical and Dental Associations

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Patrick Joseph Fox, Jr, MD Resident Physician, Section of Urology, Medical College of Georgia

Patrick Joseph Fox, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Male Urinary Organ Anatomy

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