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Related Concept Videos

Urethra01:16

Urethra

592
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...
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The Micturition Reflex01:26

The Micturition Reflex

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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...
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External Female Genitals01:15

External Female Genitals

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The vulva encompasses the external structures of the female reproductive system. At the forefront is the monpubis, a cushion of fatty tissue atop the pubic bone. Once puberty sets in, this area typically grows hair. Extending from just behind the mons pubis are the labia majora (labia = 'lips'; majora = 'larger'), which are larger skin fs olds coated with hair. Nestled within are the labia minora (labia = 'lips'; minora = 'smaller'), which are thinner, more...
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Urinary Bladder01:23

Urinary Bladder

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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...
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Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum01:26

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum

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The muscles of the pelvic floor and perineum are crucial for supporting the pelvic organs, controlling continence, and aiding in sexual function, childbirth, and core stability. They are typically divided into the superficial perineal layer and the deep pelvic floor layer.
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
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Ureters01:22

Ureters

366
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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2025

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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What do we really know about the external urethral sphincter?

Karen D McCloskey1, Anthony Kanai2, Jalesh N Panicker3,4

  • 1Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.

Continence (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|December 13, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The external urethral sphincter (EUS) and internal urethral sphincter (IUS) control continence and voiding. Understanding their unique muscle properties and dysfunction is key to treating lower urinary tract disorders.

Keywords:
AgeingExternal urethral sphincterSarcopeniaSmooth muscleStriated muscleUrinary retention

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Transcorporal Artificial Urinary Sphincter Cuff Placement in a Case Requiring Revision for Urethral Atrophy
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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2025

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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In Vivo Luminal Measurement of Distension-Evoked Urothelial ATP Release in Rodents
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Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Muscle Physiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • The external urethral sphincter (EUS) and internal urethral sphincter (IUS) are critical for lower urinary tract function.
  • Their roles in continence and voiding are complex, involving distinct striated and smooth muscle components.
  • Little is known about the regulation and age-related dysfunction of these sphincters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the unique physiological, biochemical, and metabolic properties of urethral sphincter muscle components.
  • To discuss in vivo models for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms.
  • To explore pre-clinical therapeutic approaches for sphincter dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on urethral sphincter physiology and pathophysiology.
  • Discussion of in vivo models for disease investigation.
  • Examination of electromyography (EMG) and Urethral Pressure Profile (UPP) in clinical evaluation.

Main Results:

  • The EUS and IUS possess distinct striated and smooth muscle characteristics crucial for continence.
  • Age- and disease-related tissue remodeling can lead to filling and voiding disorders.
  • EMG and UPP are vital tools for assessing EUS/IUS function and dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the unique properties of urethral sphincter muscles is essential for addressing lower urinary tract dysfunction.
  • Emerging therapeutic strategies show promise in mitigating age- or disease-related tissue remodeling.
  • Further research into sphincter muscle physiology can improve treatments for urinary disorders.