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Overview of the Neural Control of the Lower Urinary Tract

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Handbook of Neurourology

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Abstract

The lower urinary tract (LUT) essentially functions as a reservoir with an outlet and is responsible for the storage and periodic elimination of urine. The peripheral innervation relays afferent and efferent signals controlling LUT functions and is derived from the thoracolumbar and sacral spinal cord, consisting of axons from sympathetic, parasympathetic, and somatic neurons. In health, the LUT remains in the storage phase for 98% of the time. Switching to the voiding phase is mediated through the pontine micturition center, which in turn is regulated by activity from the periaqueductal gray in the midbrain. Studies in humans confirm that the insula and anterior cingulate cortex play a crucial role in the perception of bladder sensations of fullness, and the medial prefrontal cortex is responsible for making a decision as to whether or not micturition should take place at a particular place or time. This chapter provides an overview of the neural control of LUT functions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Uro-Neurology, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK

    Jalesh N. Panicker

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  1. Jalesh N. Panicker
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Correspondence to Jalesh N. Panicker .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, China Rehabiliation Research Center Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

    Limin Liao

  2. Department of Urology, University Hospital Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Helmut Madersbacher

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Panicker, J.N. (2023). Overview of the Neural Control of the Lower Urinary Tract. In: Liao, L., Madersbacher, H. (eds) Handbook of Neurourology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7939-1_6-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7939-1_6-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-7939-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-7939-1

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