Clinical and Functional Anatomy of the Urethral Sphincter.
- Author:
Junyang JUNG
1
;
Hyo Kwang AHN
;
Youngbuhm HUH
Author Information
1. Department of Anatomy, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jjung@khu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Urethral sphincters;
Pudendal nerve;
Autonomic nervous system;
Urinary incontinence;
Urination
- MeSH:
Autonomic Nervous System;
Muscles;
Pelvic Floor;
Pudendal Nerve;
Urethra;
Urinary Incontinence;
Urination
- From:International Neurourology Journal
2012;16(3):102-106
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Continence and micturition involve urethral closure. Especially, insufficient strength of the pelvic floor muscles including the urethral sphincter muscles causes urinary incontinence (UI). Thus, it is most important to understand the main mechanism causing UI and the relationship of UI with the urethral sphincter. Functionally and anatomically, the urethral sphincter is made up of the internal and the external sphincter. We highlight the basic and clinical anatomy of the internal and the external sphincter and their clinical meaning. Understanding these relationships may provide a novel view in identifying the main mechanism causing UI and surgical techniques for UI.
