A new method for the investigation of the closure function of the resting female urethra.
The field-gradient principle has been used in the development of a probe for the recording of related values of cross-sectional area and pressure in the resting female urethra. The probe is used in a manner that allows pressure to be increased in steps of 10 cm. water, distending the urethra up to a cross-sectional area of 0.79 cm.2. Recordings are performed at 0.5 cm. steps throughout the urethra. The obtained parameters make possible a description of the closure function in terms of urethral rigidity, closure pressure of the noninstrumented urethra, capability of isometric and isotonic contraction, muscular function and power of the closure mechanism.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D011312:Pressure; D014521:Urethra / Q000502:physiology*; D014554:Urination; D014563:Urodynamics; D014572:Urology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*