214 - Neural control of Pelvic function Flashcards

1
Q

A woman suffers a pudendal nerve injury from a bicycle accident. What is the most likely dysfunction from this injury?

a. Impaired detrusor contractions
b. Anal sphincter weakness
c. Reduced colonic peristalsis
d. Absent bladder fullness sensation

A

b. Anal sphincter weakness
* Pudendal nerve controls the external anal sphincter, partly responsible for fecal continence*

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What stimulus induces the defecation reflex?

Describe the effect

A

Distension of the rectum

Results in all of the following, basically simultaneously

  • Sustained peristalsis in teh left colon
  • Relaxation of the internal anal sphincter
    • Smooth muscle relaxes; due to less hypogastric (sympathetic), more parasympathetic (pelvic) tone
  • Relaxation of the external anal sphincter
    • Striated muscle, pudendal nerve
  • Increased intra-abdominal pressure via Valsalva
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe what each of the following nerves are doing in the bladder storage state:

  • Hypogastric nerve:
  • Pelvic nerve:
  • Pudendal nerve:
A
  • Hypogastric nerve: (sympathetic)
    • Tonic contraction of the bladder neck, urethra
    • Inhibition of parasympathetic innervation to the detrusor
  • Pelvic nerve: (parasympathetic)
    • Inhibited by hypogastric tone
  • Pudendal nerve: (somatic)
    • Contracts the urethral sphincter
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which nerve is most active during the continence phase of defecation?

A

Lumbar colonic nerve (sympathetic)

Inhibits enteric nerve peristalsis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which nerves sense distension in the rectum?

A

Pelvic nerve afferents

  • Signal to enteric NS to initiate peristalsis (on command of pelvic nerve efferents)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe what each of the following nerves are doing in the bladder evacuation state:

  • Hypogastric nerve:
  • Pelvic nerve:
  • Pudendal nerve:
A
  • Hypogastric nerve: (sympathetic)
    • Inhibited by pontine micturition center, pelvic efferents
    • Alpha-1 receptor activation
  • Pelvic nerve: (parasympathetic)
    • Pelvic afferents signal stretch to the brain
    • Excitation from pontine micturition center -> increased parasympathetic tone -> detrusor contraction via pelvic efferents (M3 receptor activation)
  • Pudendal nerve: (somatic)
    • Decreased stimulation to urethral sphincter -> relaxation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How do inflammatory processes in the bladder change the normal bladder physiology?

A

Inflammatory processes sensitize afferent bladder fibers

This results in increased urgency, even when pressure is low

Feels like you have to go, even though maybe you don’t

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which of the following elements of the defecation process requires input from higher centers of the brain in a healthy person under normal conditions?

a. Peristaltic contractions of the sigmoid colon
b. Rectal distention
c. Rectal peristalsis
d. Relaxation of external anal sphincter
e. Relaxation of internal anal sphincter

A

d. Relaxation of external anal sphincter
* External anal sphincter is under somatic control*

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which part of the nervous system is most active during sexual arousal and plateau?

A

Parasympathetic

Main role is vasodilation -> increased blood flow

Via smooth muscle relaxation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the “hallmark” of orgasm?

A

Simultaneous, rhythmic contractions of all muscles innervated by the pudendal nerve

Uterus, rectal sphincter, orgasmic platform

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

During the voiding phase, what happens when the bladder starts to fill up?

  • Which nerves carry this signal to the brain?*
  • How does the brain modulate what happens next?*
A
  • Pelvic afferents signal stretch to the brain
  • When it’s time to go, the pontine micturition center modulates voiding
  • Basically, parasymathetics are active, sympathetics and somatics are inhibited
    • ​Inhibition of hypogastric (sympathetic) nerve inhibits the inhibition of voiding (usually hypogastric nerve stops us from peeing our pants)
    • This allows the pelvic (sympathetic) nerve to contract the detrusor
    • Relaxation of the pudendal (somatic) nerve allows pee to flow out

Note: Both the continence and voiding reflexes are activating by stretch; unknown mechanisms in the brain help us choose whether to hold it or to go

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Which nervous system is responsible for resolution following an orgasm?

A

Sympathetics

Mediate vasoconstriction (to reverse the vasodilation during the excitement/plateau phase)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the neural control center for bladder function?

A

Pontine micturition center

  • Integrates pelvic sensory information, integrates with input from higher centers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

During the continence phase, what happens when the bladder starts to fill up?

  • Which nerves carry this signal to the brain?*
  • How does the brain modulate what happens next?*
A
  • Pelvic afferents signal stretch to the brain
  • -> Reflex contraction of the external urethral sphincter (via somatic pudendal nerve)
  • -> Reflex activation of sympathetic (hypogastric) preganglionic nerves, resulting in inhibition of the detrusor muscle
  • -> Reflex inhibition of parasympathetic (pelvic) nerves, resulting in inhibition of detrusor contraction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

A 65-year-old man with a longstanding history of BPH has the acute onset of a sensation of urinary urgency followed by urinary incontinence.

Which of the following is the most likely mechanism for his urinary leakage?

  1. Pelvic nerve afferent fibers inhibiting pelvic nerve efferent fibers
  2. Hypogastric nerve inhibition of detrusor muscle
  3. Pudendal nerve efferent fiber stimulation of the external sphincter
  4. Brainstem inhibition of the parasympathetic preganglionic neurons
  5. Acetylcholine (muscarinic) fibers stimulation of bladder smooth muscle
A

Acetylcholine (muscarinic) fibers stimulation of bladder smooth muscle

Stimulation of bladder smooth muscle -> detrusor contraction -> peeing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Which nerve is most active during the voiding phase of defecation?

A

Pelvic nerve (parasympathetic)

17
Q

Which component of sexual function shows the greatest difference between men and women?

a. Speed of sexual arousal.
b. Involvement of the parasympathetic system.
c. Post-climax refractory period.
d. Frequency of orgasmic contractions of the perineal muscles.
e. Spinal organization of sexual reflexes.

A

c. Post-climax refractory period.
* Key is that the sexual response is largely the same in all people*

18
Q

Which part of the nervous system is responsible for generating an orgasm?

A

Spinal cord

(Orgasm is under supraspinal aka somatic control)

19
Q

In the urinary system, what is the function of sympathetic innervation?

A

Promotes continence

Responsible for tone in the internal urethral sphincter