How does the development of the female urethra differ from the male urethra?

The female urethra is shorter and simpler, primarily derived from the vesicourethral canal and definitive urogenital sinus. In contrast, the male urethra is longer and more complex, with parts from the vesicourethral canal, definitive urogenital sinus, and surface ectoderm.

What are the main parts of the male urethra and their embryological origins?

The male urethra has four parts: Prostatic part from the caudal vesicourethral canal and upper pelvic definitive urogenital sinus, membranous part from the lower pelvic definitive urogenital sinus, spongy (penile) part from the phallic part of the definitive urogenital sinus, and terminal (glandular) part from surface ectoderm.

What tissues form the female urethra during development?

The female urethra is formed from endodermal epithelium from the definitive urogenital sinus and a mesodermal dorsal wall from absorbed mesonephric ducts. It corresponds to the prostatic part of the male urethra above the colliculus seminalis.

What is the origin of the epithelial lining in the urethra?

In both sexes, the epithelial lining of the urethra is endodermal, derived from the definitive urogenital sinus. The connective tissue and smooth muscle come from surrounding splanchnopleuric intraembryonic mesoderm.

How does the definitive urogenital sinus contribute to urethral development?

The definitive urogenital sinus contributes to multiple parts: in females, it forms the urethra and vestibule of the vagina; in males, it contributes to the prostatic, membranous, and spongy parts of the urethra.

What is the role of the vesicourethral canal in urethral development?

The vesicourethral canal gives rise to the female urethra (primarily from its caudal part) and the prostatic part of the male urethra above the ejaculatory duct openings.

Urethra Development – Male vs Female