Urethral lumen cross-sectional shape: its radiological determination and relationship to function.
This report shows that the urethral lumen cross-sectional shape is complex but slit-like and it is suggested that this shape is related to function. A radiological method for determining urethral shape during micturition has been developed and compared with histological studies. The lumen is markedly non-circular even during micturition. Simple theoretical analysis of preliminary shapes shows that current concepts of urethral flow are incomplete and urethral pressure profile measurements require re-evaluation. The function of accepted sphincter mechanisms requires a slit-like lumen. Lumen shape is a fundamental property of the urethra, the clinical importance of which has yet to be explored.
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001699:Biometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D014521:Urethra / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D014554:Urination; D014563:Urodynamics