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Related Concept Videos

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...
Urethra01:16

Urethra

The urethra is a hollowed tubular organ through which urine is expelled from the body. This structure extends from the bladder to the external opening, allowing urine to be released.
The anatomy of the urethra differs between males and females. In females, the urethra is short, measuring about 3–4 cm in length, and opens anterior to the vaginal opening. In males, the urethra is longer and passes through the penis, serving dual purposes: expelling urine and ejaculating semen. The male urethra is...
Ureters01:22

Ureters

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...
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...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters01:11

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

The upper urinary system comprises two kidneys and two ureters, which are crucial in filtering blood and forming urine.KidneysLocation and Structure:The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs positioned behind the peritoneum on either side of the spine.Kidneys are between the 12th thoracic (T12) and the 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.The position of the liver causes the right kidney to sit slightly lower than the left.Protective Layers:Each kidney is enveloped in a tough, fibrous membrane called the...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...

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Expression of Transgenes in Native Bladder Urothelium Using Adenovirus-Mediated Transduction
06:01

Expression of Transgenes in Native Bladder Urothelium Using Adenovirus-Mediated Transduction

Published on: October 6, 2022

Is the urothelium intelligent?

L A Birder1, A J Kanai, F Cruz

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. lbirder@pitt.edu

Neurourology and Urodynamics
|May 1, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The urothelium, a urinary tract lining, actively senses its environment. This review explores how this tissue and its underlying cells form a functional unit that responds to stimuli, modulating nerve and muscle activity.

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Published on: October 6, 2022

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Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The urothelium, once viewed solely as a barrier, is now recognized for its active sensory role in the urinary tract.
  • It senses physical and chemical conditions like luminal pressure and urine composition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the urothelium/suburothelium as a functional sensory unit.
  • To explore its responses to various stresses, chemical mediators, and their effects on nerve and muscle function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of urothelial sensory mechanisms.
  • Analysis of diffusible agents (e.g., ATP, acetylcholine) released by the urothelium.
  • Examination of cellular receptors and modulation of afferent nerves and smooth muscles.

Main Results:

  • The urothelium/suburothelium acts as a sensory unit, releasing signaling molecules in response to environmental changes.
  • These responses modulate afferent nerve activity and smooth muscle function.
  • Regional differences along the urinary tract and implications for normal and pathological conditions are considered.

Conclusions:

  • The urothelium/suburothelium exhibits 'intelligent' responses to maintain urinary tract function.
  • Mathematical formulation of input-output functions can quantify contributions to urinary tract dysfunction.