húgycs

Húgycs, often referring to húgycső in Hungarian, is the urethra, the duct that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It is a component of the urinary system and, in males, also serves as a conduit for semen during ejaculation.

Anatomy and location vary by sex. In females, the urethra is relatively short, about 4 cm, and lies anterior to the vaginal opening, ending at the external urethral meatus near the clitoris and vaginal entrance. In males, the urethra is about 18–20 cm long and traverses the prostate and the penis, divided into segments: prostatic, membranous, and spongy (penile) urethra, ending at the external meatus at the glans penis.

Function is to expel urine from the bladder through the external urethral opening. In males, the urethra also accommodates semen during ejaculation. The control of urine flow involves the urinary sphincters and pelvic floor muscles, contributing to continence.

Developmentally, the urethra forms from the urogenital sinus, with the male distal urethra developing in part from ectodermal tissue, while the female urethra largely derives from the urogenital sinus.

Clinical relevance includes urethritis (inflammation or infection of the urethra), urethral strictures (narrowing), and trauma from injury or medical procedures such as catheterization. The female urethra’s shorter length is a factor in predisposition to urinary tract infections, whereas injuries in males often relate to pelvic fractures.

See also: urinary system, bladder, kidneys, urethral anatomy.