Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
06:18
Isolation and Culture of Primary Neurons and Glia from Adult Rat Urinary Bladder
Published on: May 23, 2020
4.3K
New Frontiers of Basic Science Research in Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction
Minoru Miyazato1, Katsumi Kadekawa2, Takeya Kitta2
1Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan; Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
The Urologic Clinics of North America
|July 19, 2017
Summary
Lower urinary tract dysfunction arises from injuries affecting neural pathways. Animal studies reveal that reflex plasticity, involving changes in neural components, plays a key role in these dysfunctions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Urology
Background:
- The lower urinary tract manages urine storage and elimination via the micturition reflex.
- This reflex is influenced by supraspinal centers and spinobulbospinal pathways, enabling voluntary control.
- Injuries to the nervous system can disrupt these functions, leading to lower urinary tract dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of neural pathway plasticity in lower urinary tract dysfunction.
- To understand the mechanisms underlying reflex changes after neurogenic lesions.
- To evaluate the utility of animal models in studying these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal studies investigating lower urinary tract dysfunction.
- Analysis of research on neural plasticity mechanisms (ion channels, receptors, mediators).
- Examination of neurogenic lesion models.
Main Results:
- Lower urinary tract dysfunction is partly mediated by neural pathway plasticity.
- Reflex plasticity involves alterations in ion channels, receptors, and signaling molecules.
- Animal models demonstrate changes in reflex pathways following neurogenic insults.
Conclusions:
- Neural plasticity is a significant factor in lower urinary tract dysfunction.
- Understanding these plastic changes is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.
- Animal models provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology and neural adaptations in lower urinary tract disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra
2.1K
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...
2.1K
01:26The Micturition Reflex
3.1K
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...
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...
3.1K
01:26Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
478
Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...
478
01:23Urinary Bladder
3.8K
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...
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...
3.8K
01:20Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution
1.0K
The kidneys concentrate or dilute urine to maintain water and electrolyte balance. Nephrons, particularly the loop of Henle, play a crucial role in this process through the countercurrent multiplication system. This system establishes a high osmolarity in the renal medulla, which is essential for water reabsorption. In the loop of Henle’s descending limb, water is reabsorbed into the surrounding medulla due to its permeability to water. In contrast, the ascending limb actively transports...
1.0K
01:19Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry
5.8K
Uroflowmetry is a non-invasive urodynamic test designed to measure various aspects of urination, including volume, flow rate, and the time to void. This test is crucial for diagnosing and assessing conditions such as bladder outlet obstruction, bladder dysfunction, incomplete bladder emptying, incontinence, and urinary tract blockages caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urethral strictures.Pre-Test Instructions:Before a uroflowmetry test, patients are typically advised to drink...
5.8K