Urethral stent. Coloured frontal X-ray of a section through the pelvic region of a 59-year-old man with a urethral stent (highlighted) in the prostatic urethra - the widest and most dilatable part of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Stents are wire mesh tubes that are used to provide support for passageways within the body. A urethral stent is required when the urethra becomes blocked, such as by an enlarged prostate pushing against the urethra in men. The stent holds the urethra open and prevents it from collapsing, thus maintaining normal urine flow.