Urethra is a small duct that releases urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, through the genitals, i.e. the penis in males and the vagina in females. It allows people and animals to remove urine from the body. People and animals control urination using the urethral sphincter. The urethra is part of the urinary system in mammals. Because humans are mammals, they have urethras. In male mammals, the urethra is also a part of the reproductive system, because males use it as a tube for sperm during sex. The female urethra, about 1.5 to 2 (about 35 mm) inches long, is located posterior to the pubic symphysis and is situated in the front wall of the vagina. The male urethra is 8 to 9 inches (200mm) long. The male urethra is longer and more complicated than the female one, because the ejaculation of semen takes place from the urethra itself.