Final answer:
The tube connecting each kidney to the urinary bladder is the ureter, a paired structure that transports urine from the kidneys to the bladder via muscular contractions called peristalsis. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tube connecting each kidney to the urinary bladder is the ureter. Ureters are tube-like structures that serve to transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Each kidney has a dedicated ureter, and there is one for each side, making a pair. Ureters are notable for their smooth muscle that enables the movement of urine through peristalsis.
The width of the ureter in adults is approximately 3 to 4 mm (about 1/8 in.) in diameter, with a length ranging from 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in.).
In contrast, the urethra is a tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body, and there is a significant difference in its anatomy between males and females.
The urethra in someone with XY chromosomes is longer, averaging about 20 cm (8 in.), while in someone with XX chromosomes, it is typically only about 4.8 cm (1.9 in.) long.
The male urethra also carries semen, alongside urine, whereas the female urethra only carries urine.
It is important not to confuse the ureter with the urethra, calyces (which are cup-like structures receiving urine within the kidneys), or the ductus (vas) deferens (which is part of the male reproductive system).
The latter options listed in the multiple-choice question are different structures that serve other functions within the urinary and reproductive systems. The correct option is C.