From the Guidelines
The urinary meatus is the external opening of the urethra where urine exits the body, located at the tip of the penis in males and between the clitoris and vaginal opening in females. This small opening serves as the final passageway for urine that has been filtered by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and transported through the urethra. The meatus is lined with mucous membrane and contains specialized tissue that helps prevent bacteria from ascending into the urinary tract. Its size and position differ between sexes due to anatomical variations in urethral length - the female urethra is typically about 4 cm long while the male urethra averages 20 cm. Maintaining good hygiene around the urinary meatus is important for preventing urinary tract infections, as bacteria near this opening can potentially travel up the urethra to cause infection in the bladder or kidneys. According to recent guidelines, meatal or fossa navicularis strictures can be treated with dilation or meatotomy 1.
Some key points to consider about the urinary meatus include:
- The meatus is a common site for urethral stricture disease, which can be treated with urethroplasty in cases of recurrence 1
- Meatal stenosis can be treated with ventral meatotomy or dorsal V-meatoplasty, and interposition techniques may be advised to prevent restenosis 1
- Lichen sclerosus can cause meatal disease, leading to stenosis and obstruction, and early treatment may prevent progression to urethral involvement and urethral strictures 1
- A multidisciplinary approach with input from both a dermatologist and a urologist may be necessary to manage complications of meatal disease 1.
Overall, the urinary meatus plays a crucial role in the urinary system, and its health is essential for preventing urinary tract infections and other complications. Proper care and management of the urinary meatus, including maintaining good hygiene and seeking medical attention for any symptoms or complications, is essential for maintaining urinary health.
From the Research
Definition of Urinary Meatus
- The urinary meatus is the external opening of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is a small opening located at the end of the penis in males and between the clitoris and the vagina in females.
Location and Function
- In males, the urinary meatus is typically located at the tip of the penis, and its function is to allow urine to flow out of the body 2, 4.
- In females, the urinary meatus is located between the clitoris and the vagina, and its function is also to allow urine to flow out of the body 5, 6.
Abnormalities of the Urinary Meatus
- Meatal stenosis is a condition where the urinary meatus becomes narrowed, which can cause difficulty urinating and other symptoms 2, 3, 4.
- Urethral meatus deformities and urethra hypospadias are conditions where the urinary meatus is abnormal in shape or location, which can cause functional problems and difficulties with catheterization 6.
- An aberrant urethral meatus can be a possible cause of recurrent post-coital urinary infections in young women, as it can allow for easier advancement of pathogen-laden mucous during intercourse 5.