[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Spongy urethra [Urinary system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/urinary-system/) · [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Spongy urethra The spongy urethra is the longest part of the [male urethra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/male-urethra/), running through the bulb and shaft of the penis to its tip; it carries urine and semen outside. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=male&select=spongy_urethra&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The longest part, about 15 cm, inside the corpus spongiosum from the bulb to the opening on the glans; it widens in the bulb and just before the tip ([navicular](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/navicular-bone/) fossa). ## What it does Carries urine and semen to the outside; the [bulbourethral glands](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbo-urethral-gland/) open into it. ## Key points - Anterior urethral injury: a straddle fall crushes the bulbar part against the pubic arch; blood at the meatus with perineal bruising - If Buck fascia tears, blood and urine spread under Colles fascia into the [scrotum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scrotum/), penis and lower abdominal wall but not the thighs, giving butterfly-shaped perineal bruising - If Buck fascia holds, the bleeding stays within the shaft of the penis - Bulbar strictures are the commonest; the scarring of the surrounding corpus spongiosum (spongiofibrosis) decides how they are repaired ## Key facts **Where** Longest part, about 15 cm, inside the corpus spongiosum from the perineal membrane to the external meatus; fixed bulbar part and mobile penile part **Attaches** Widens in the bulb (intrabulbar fossa) and glans (navicular fossa); bulbourethral and urethral (Littré) glands open into it **Function** Carries urine and semen to the outside; bulbar part injured in straddle falls and the commonest site of urethral stricture ## Relations **Course** From the [perineal membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/perineal-membrane/) forward through the bulb of the [corpus spongiosum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-spongiosum-of-penis/) (fixed bulbar part), down at the penoscrotal junction into the mobile penile part, to the external meatus on the [glans penis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/glans-of-penis/) **Superficial** Corpus spongiosum, then Buck fascia, dartos and [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/); in the perineum, the [bulbospongiosus muscle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbospongiosus-muscle/) over the bulb **Above** [Corpora cavernosa](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-cavernosum-of-penis/), which lie on top of the corpus spongiosum along the shaft ## How to find it The penile part is felt inside the corpus spongiosum along the underside of the shaft; the bulbar part lies in the perineum behind the scrotum. A stricture may be felt as a firm segment; the meatus is inspected for position and narrowing. ## On imaging Retrograde urethrography shows the site and length of a stricture or injury; voiding films show the urethra beyond it. Urethral ultrasound measures the depth of spongiofibrosis. ## Common problems - Strictures, often in the bulbar part; injured in straddle falls. ## How it is diagnosed Urine tests and swabs; urine flow test; urethrogram or a scope (urethroscopy). ## Treatment - Antibiotics for urethritis; widening or surgical repair (urethroplasty) of a stricture. ## Clinical notes - Strictures follow infection (historically gonococcal urethritis), trauma or instruments (catheters, scopes); they are treated by dilation, endoscopic incision or urethroplasty, often with a buccal mucosa graft - Meatal stenosis and strictures of the navicular fossa are linked with lichen sclerosus and, in boys, with circumcision - Holding the penis upward straightens the mobile prepubic bend when a catheter or scope is passed ## Development Forms as the urethral folds fuse along the underside of the genital tubercle; incomplete fusion leaves the meatus on the underside (hypospadias). The part in the glans forms last (some texts: from an ectodermal ingrowth). ## Related conditions - [Hypospadias](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hypospadias/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## How is the bulbar part of the spongy urethra injured in a straddle fall, and what are the signs? It is crushed against the pubic arch; blood at the meatus with perineal bruising. ## If Buck fascia tears in a spongy urethral injury, where do blood and urine spread? Under Colles fascia into the scrotum, penis and lower abdominal wall but not the thighs (butterfly perineal bruising). ## Which segment of the spongy urethra is the commonest site of stricture? The bulbar part; the degree of spongiofibrosis decides how it is repaired. ## What developmental failure of the spongy urethra causes hypospadias? Incomplete fusion of the urethral folds along the underside of the genital tubercle, leaving the meatus on the underside. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/spongy-urethra/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** pars spongiosa urethrae masculinae **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Porción esponjosa de la uretra masculina **English (TA2)** Spongy urethra **Also called** penile urethra ## Related - [Membranous urethra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intermediate-part-of-male-urethra/) - [Bulbourethral glands](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bulbo-urethral-gland/) - [Corpus spongiosum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corpus-spongiosum-of-penis/) Sources: [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Male Genitourinary Tract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562291/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spongy-urethra/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spongy-urethra/