External urethral orifice (male)

External urethral orifice (male)
Structure of the penis
Details
Latin	Orificium urethrae externum
Dorlands /Elsevier	o_06/12596415
Anatomical terminology []

The urinary meatus, also known as the external urethral orifice, is the opening or meatus of the urethra. It is the point where urine exits the urethra in males and in females, and also where semen exits the urethra in males. The meatus has varying degrees of sensitivity to touch. The meatus is located on the glans penis in males and in the vulval vestibule in females.

The male external urethral orifice is the external opening or urinary meatus, normally located at the tip of the glans penis, at its junction with the frenular delta. It presents as a vertical slit, possibly bounded on either side by two small labia-like projections and continues longitudinally along the front aspect of the glans, which facilitates the flow of urine micturition. In some cases the opening may be more rounded and this can occur naturally or may also occur as a side effect of excessive skin removal during circumcision. The meatus is a sensitive part of the male reproductive system.

Due to the flexibility of the penis and meatus, the stream of urine in the male can be manipulated and targeted. In different cultures different positions of urination are employed. Sitting and squatting are also options to standing to urinate. Also in the elderly male with prostate problems sitting down is preferable. For practising Muslim men, the genital modesty of squatting is also associated with proper cleanliness requirements or awrah.

The external urethral orifice is the external opening of the urethra, from which urine is ejected during urination. In the female it is located about 2.5 cm behind the clitoris and immediately in front of the vagina in the vulval vestibule of the female genitalia. It usually assumes the form of a short, sagittal cleft with slightly raised margins. To its left and right are the openings of the Skene's glands.