The Epithelium in the Female Urethra: A Quantitative Study

Carlile, Alistair
Davies, Ioan
Faragher, E.
Brocklehurst, J. C.

From the Unit for Biological Aging Research, and Departments of Geriatric Medicine and Medical Statistics, Withington Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom

Accepted March 17, 1987.

Supported by a grant from the British Foundation for Age Research.

Journal of Urology 138(4):p 775-777, October 1987. | DOI: 10.1016/S0022-5347(17)43369-6

ABSTRACT

Histological sections were prepared from 8 regions along the length of the urethra in 16 women 19 to 82 years old. The epithelium was examined under the light microscope at 4 points in each region and the type of epithelium was classified. Our results indicate that the human female urethra is lined by stratified squamous, pseudostratified columnar and, occasionally, transitional epithelium. There is a gradual change from squamous to columnar epithelium with advancing age. More squamous epithelium is present at the distal end of the urethra.