title: Neurophysiology of micturition and continence in women.
abstract: Micturition and continence involve the coordination of complex neural events between the central and peripheral nervous systems. An understanding of these events provides a foundation for the treatment of voiding disorders in women such as stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence and interstitial cystitis. The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively review the neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of micturition and continence. However, a brief section discussing clinical correlations will follow each of these topics to help integrate the basic science with clinical observations.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Department of Urology, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Steers
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000818:Animals; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000294:innervation; D014521:Urethra / Q000294:innervation; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000294:innervation*; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014563:Urodynamics
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents