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Related Concept Videos

Functions of Smooth Muscles01:23

Functions of Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscles are an important type of muscle tissue that plays a vital role in the involuntary movements of internal organs. For example, they help regulate the movement of food through the gut and the flow of blood through the circulatory system.
Function of visceral smooth muscles
Visceral smooth muscle is found in the walls of all hollow organs, except the heart, and is a key player in the involuntary movements that drive the functioning of these internal organs. This tissue is arranged in...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra01:19

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra

The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...
Urinary Bladder01:23

Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles01:13

Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscle tissue is a type of muscle tissue that can be found lining various vital organs in the human body, including the lungs, blood vessels, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. This type of tissue is responsible for regulating the movements of these organs, playing crucial roles in the functioning of various systems, including the vascular, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems.
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...
The Micturition Reflex01:26

The Micturition Reflex

Urination, or micturition involves the coordination of the bladder's detrusor muscle and two sphincters to ensure controlled bladder emptying.
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
Smooth Muscle Contraction01:25

Smooth Muscle Contraction

Smooth muscle contraction is a complex process vital for various bodily functions, from maintaining blood vessel tension to facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Unlike striated muscles, smooth muscle contraction begins more slowly and lasts longer.
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology
10:26

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology

Published on: August 18, 2014

The physiological function of lower urinary tract smooth muscle.

C H Fry1, E Meng, J S Young

  • 1Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford GU27WG, UK. c.h.fry@surrey.ac.uk

Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical
|November 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

The lower urinary tract controls urine storage and emptying through coordinated muscle activity. Understanding its cellular signaling and nerve control is key to treating conditions like overactive bladder and incontinence.

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A Decentralized (Ex Vivo) Murine Bladder Model with the Detrusor Muscle Removed for Direct Access to the Suburothelium during Bladder Filling
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A Decentralized (Ex Vivo) Murine Bladder Model with the Detrusor Muscle Removed for Direct Access to the Suburothelium during Bladder Filling

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Preparation and Utilization of Freshly Isolated Human Detrusor Smooth Muscle Cells for Characterization of 9-Phenanthrol-Sensitive Cation Currents
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Preparation and Utilization of Freshly Isolated Human Detrusor Smooth Muscle Cells for Characterization of 9-Phenanthrol-Sensitive Cation Currents

Published on: January 31, 2020

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Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology
10:26

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology

Published on: August 18, 2014

A Decentralized (Ex Vivo) Murine Bladder Model with the Detrusor Muscle Removed for Direct Access to the Suburothelium during Bladder Filling
06:36

A Decentralized (Ex Vivo) Murine Bladder Model with the Detrusor Muscle Removed for Direct Access to the Suburothelium during Bladder Filling

Published on: November 28, 2019

Preparation and Utilization of Freshly Isolated Human Detrusor Smooth Muscle Cells for Characterization of 9-Phenanthrol-Sensitive Cation Currents
08:30

Preparation and Utilization of Freshly Isolated Human Detrusor Smooth Muscle Cells for Characterization of 9-Phenanthrol-Sensitive Cation Currents

Published on: January 31, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The lower urinary tract comprises the bladder and outflow tract, managing urine storage and voiding.
  • Complex neural control from the brainstem and spinal cord coordinates bladder and urethral muscle activity.
  • Smooth muscle tone and contraction are influenced by neurotransmitters and spontaneous activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiological control of the lower urinary tract.
  • To discuss cellular mechanisms underlying bladder and urethral muscle function.
  • To explore pathological conditions and potential drug targets.

Main Methods:

  • Review of neurophysiological and cellular signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of smooth muscle electrical properties and cell interactions.
  • Correlation of basic science with clinical conditions like overactive bladder.

Main Results:

  • Detrusor contraction is mediated by parasympathetic input (acetylcholine, ATP).
  • Outflow tract control involves parasympathetic, sympathetic, and nitregic components, plus somatic control of the rhabdosphincter.
  • Interactions between muscle, epithelial, and interstitial cells regulate contractility.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding lower urinary tract physiology is crucial for managing overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.
  • Cellular signaling, electrical properties, and cell-cell interactions are key determinants of muscle function.
  • Identifying drug targets within these pathways offers therapeutic potential.