Urethral artery

An article about the urethral artery, its anatomy, and function

The urethral artery is a small but significant blood vessel that supplies blood to the urethra, an essential part of the urinary system. This artery plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of the urethra by providing it with necessary nutrients and oxygen.

Diagram showing the arteries of the male pelvis, including the urethral artery.

Anatomy

The urethral artery is a branch of the internal pudendal artery, which itself is a branch of the internal iliac artery. The internal pudendal artery is responsible for supplying blood to the external genitalia and perineum. The urethral artery specifically branches off to supply the urethra.

In males, the urethral artery supplies the prostatic urethra and the penile urethra. In females, it supplies the urethra as it passes through the pelvic floor.

Function

The primary function of the urethral artery is to deliver oxygenated blood to the tissues of the urethra. This is vital for the maintenance of healthy tissue and for the proper functioning of the urethra in both the urinary and reproductive systems.

Clinical Significance

Damage or obstruction of the urethral artery can lead to complications such as ischemia of the urethral tissues, which may result in urethral stricture or other urinary complications. Understanding the anatomy of the urethral artery is important in surgical procedures involving the pelvis and perineum to avoid inadvertent damage.

Related Pages

• Urethra
• Internal pudendal artery
• Internal iliac artery
• Urinary system