Cystometry. (2). Central nervous system organization of detrusor reflex

Micturition is a brain stem reflex dependent on the integrity of reticulospinal and sensory pathways in a manner similar to respiration and blood pressure regulation. The detrusor reflex which is evoked by bladder distention and may appear in the normal cystometrogram is a result of the integrity of the circuit. Interruption of the spinal cord pathways of this loop by trauma or by spinal cord tumors results in abolition of detrusor reflex. Partial interruption results in an uninhibited detrusor reflex.