The pontine micturition centres.
OBJECTIVE
To review recent literature on the function of the two postulated pontine regions (the M- and L-regions) concerned with lower urinary tract control.


METHODS
The work reviewed is based on stimulation and lesion experiments and post-operative follow-up in the cat, supported by acute chemical stimulation and blocking experiments in the rat and PET functional brain scanning in humans.


CONCLUSIONS
The M-region in the cat, homologous to Barrington's micturition centre and to a similar area in humans, is a small region both specific and necessary to voiding, the origin of the final common pathway to bladder and urethra, and the locus of co-ordination of the bladder and the striated sphincter. The L-region in the cat is part of a larger, less specific area that probably serves sphincter control in various circumstances, not exclusively micturition. The homolog of this region in the human or in the rat has not been adequately established.
Griffiths
Derek J
DJ
Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. griffithsdj@msx.dept-med.pitt.edu
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002415:Cats; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D011149:Pons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014521:Urethra / Q000294:innervation; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology*; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology