Ces Urol 2011, 15(2):69-77 | DOI: 10.48095/cccu2011014

Neural control of the lower urinary tract

Jan Krhut¹, Roman Zachoval²

¹ Urologické oddělení FN, Ostrava-Poruba

² Urologické oddělení FTN, Praha

Neural control of the lower urinary tract function is a complex and complicated process performed on several levels. The principles of peripheral inervation of Ehe lower urinary tract are relatively well-known to urologists. However, central control mechanisms are known to a rather small number of urologists, even though the consequences of their disorder are encountered in the urological practice on a daily basis.
In the last two decades the studies of the brain using the positron emission tomography and the functional magnetic resonance contributed to understanding of the control structures and mechanisms of the micturition cycle on Ehe brain level. Owning to these methods, a basic structure model of functional control of a micturition cycle could have been formed. The objective of this article is to introduce a contemporary view on the neural control of the lower urinary tract to urologists with an emphasis on the function of central structures.

Keywords: brain, spinal cord, sympathetic nerves, parasympathetic nerves, myovesical plexus, prefrontal cortex

Received: August 9, 2010; Accepted: September 29, 2010; Published: March 1, 2011