Session 8 - Notes

Question 1

Why does stress urinary incontinence occur after pelvic surgery/childbirth?
Reference a particular set of muscles

Answer 1

Levator muscles provide key support for the pelvic organs – helping to maintain
control over bladder and bowels.

After childbirth, muscle strength is usually reduced. Weakened pelvic floor allows
bladder neck to drop, can lead to increased tendency to leak urine.

Question 2

What sensory information is conveyed to the brain by afferent fibres of the pelvic
nerve?

Answer 2

General Pain
Degree of fullness (i.e. distension) of the urinary bladder
Temperature of the urine

Question 3

By what collective name are areas of the nervous system responsible for urinary
voiding known?

Answer 3

Micturition or voiding centres

Question 4

Which region of the PONS is active during micturition?

If this region is damaged what symptoms does a patient demonstrate?

Answer 4

M region or dorsomedial Pontine tegmentum

Damage to this area can lead to severe urinary retention

Question 5

What is the normal capacity of the human bladder?

Answer 5

350-750ml

Question 6

At approximately what volume do we feel the urge to urinate?

Answer 6

About 150ml