The ureter and urethra are both tubular structures that are part of the urinary system, but they have different functions and locations in the body.
- Ureter: The ureter is a muscular tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. There are two ureters, one connected to each kidney, and they enter the bladder at an angle that prevents urine from flowing back into the kidneys.
- Urethra: The urethra is a muscular tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. In males, it also serves as a passage for semen during ejaculation. The length of the urethra differs between males and females, with males having a longer urethra due to the presence of the prostate gland.
In summary, the key difference between the ureter and urethra is that the ureter carries urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder, while the urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body (and in males, also serves as a passage for semen).
