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Published on: September 20, 2018
The functional anatomy of the female pelvic floor and stress continence control system
J A Ashton-Miller1, D Howard, J O DeLancey
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2125, USA. jaam@umich.edu
Abstract:
This paper provides an overview of the functional anatomy of the structures responsible for controlling urinary continence under stress. The stress continence control system can be divided into two parts: the system responsible for bladder neck support, and the system responsible for sphincteric closure. Age- and injury-related changes in each of these systems are discussed. Understanding the pathophysiology of incontinence on the anatomical level will help to lead to identification of specific defects, thereby allowing better individualized treatment for the incontinent patient.
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