Ureter vs. Urethra — What's the Difference?

The duct through which urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder.

The canal through which urine is expelled from the bladder.

Part of the urinary system responsible for urine transport.

Its length varies between males and females.

A paired structure with each connecting to a kidney.

Prone to infections, especially in females.

A muscular tube connecting the kidneys to the bladder.

In males, it also serves as a conduit for semen.

Can become blocked by stones or tumors.

Can develop strictures or narrowing.

The ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In a human adult, the ureters are usually 20–30 cm (8–12 in) long and around 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter.

The urethra (from Greek οὐρήθρα – ourḗthrā) is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus for the removal of urine from the body of both females and males. In human females and other primates, the urethra connects to the urinary meatus above the vagina, whereas in marsupials, the female's urethra empties into the urogenital sinus.Females use their urethra only for urinating, but males use their urethra for both urination and ejaculation.

The long, narrow duct that conveys urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder or cloaca.

The canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder in most mammals and through which semen is discharged in the male.

(anatomy) Either of the two long, narrow ducts that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

(anatomy) The tube through which urine exits the body and, in penises, through which semen is ejaculated.

The duct which conveys the urine from the kidney to the bladder or cloaca. There are two ureters, one for each kidney.

The canal by which the urine is conducted from the bladder and discharged.

Either of a pair of thick-walled tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder

Duct through which urine is discharged in most mammals and which serves as the male genital duct

No, the male Urethra is generally longer than the female Urethra.

The Urethra serves as the canal for expelling urine from the bladder to the outside.

Yes, Ureters can be obstructed by stones, tumors, or other conditions.

In males, the Urethra also transports semen.

In females, the Ureter is typically longer than the Urethra; in males, the Urethra is longer.

Yes, both are integral parts of the urinary system.

A Urethra stricture is a narrowing or closure of the Urethra.

A person has two Ureters, one for each kidney.

Yes, though they would typically be treated as separate issues.

Yes, including Ureteral stones, tumors, and congenital abnormalities.

Yes, damage or strictures in the Urethra can impede the flow of urine.

Yes, especially in females due to the Urethra's shorter length and proximity to bacteria.

Yes, in males, the Urethra also serves to transport semen.

Ureter obstructions can be treated with medication, surgery, or lithotripsy.