Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The external urinary sphincter is a circular muscle that controls the passage of urine out of the bladder and through the urethra. It is voluntarily controlled, enabling the decision to start or stop urination.
Related terms
Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder to be expelled from the body.
Internal Urinary Sphincter: An involuntary muscle that controls flow of urine from the bladder into the urethra.