In anatomy, the urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the genitals for the removal of fluids from the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis, and carries semen as well as urine. In females, the urethra is shorter and emerges above the vaginal opening. Women use their urethra only for urinating, but men use their urethra for both urinating and ejaculating. The external urethral sphincter is a striated muscle that allows voluntary control over urination. It is 8 inches long in males and 2 inches long in females.