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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Modeling physiology of the urinary tract
Thomas A Spirka1, Margot S Damaser
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44118, USA.
Mathematical and physical models of urinary tract organs are reviewed. These models, focusing on tissue and organ levels, show potential for new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in urology.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Mathematical Modeling
Background:
- Urinary tract functions include urine production, excretion, and voiding.
- Existing research primarily focuses on tissue and organ-level physiology.
- Mathematical and physical models are crucial for understanding complex biological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mathematical and physical models of urinary tract organ physiology.
- To explore the application of these models in developing diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
- To highlight the current state and future potential of physiological modeling in urology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of mathematical and physical models.
- Focus on models of kidney, ureters, bladder, urethra, pelvic floor muscles, and neural control.
- Analysis of model applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
Main Results:
- Models exist for urine concentration, flow, bladder dynamics, urethral function, and neural control.
- These models are primarily at the tissue and organ level.
- Models are foundational for in silico testing and therapy development.
Conclusions:
- Physiological models of the lower urinary tract are emerging.
- These models offer potential for improved understanding of urological mechanisms.
- In silico environments created by these models can aid in testing new therapies.
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