T3 L12 Function of lower urinary tract Flashcards

1
Q

What structures are involved in the passage of tubular fluid out of the kidneys & body via the urinary tract?

A

Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra

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

What processes are used to generate tubular fluid within the nephron?

A

Filtration
Reabsorption
Secretion

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

Where does the tubular fluid exit the collecting duct at?

A

At the tip of the renal pyramid (pelvis)

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

What leads to the renal pelvis?

A

Minor & major calyxes

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

Wha triggers peristaltic contractions at the hilus?

A

Distention

Pacemaker cells are activated by stretch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe the structure of the ureters

A

30cm long tubes
Mucosal layer
Supported by layers of smooth muscle
Lumen has folds in the relaxed state which dilate out when the peristaltic wave & pulse of urine pass through ureter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the mucosal layer of the ureters

A

Transitional epithelium
3-8 cells thick
Impermeable to urine

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

What layers of smooth muscle are present in the ureter?

A

Inner: longitudinal muscles
Outer: circular/spiral muscles
Extra outer layer of longitudinal muscle

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

What is the function of the ureters?

A

Dilation of renal pelvis generates an action potential from the pacemaker cells in the hilum
Peristaltic waves are generated at 1-6 per minute

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

What modulates the rate of peristaltic contractions?

A

Parasympathetic nervous system enhances 5-6 waves per min

Sympathetic nervous system inhibits to slow waves in times of stress

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

What are peristaltic contractions?

A
Similar to those in GI tract
1) Longitudinal muscle contracts
2) Circular muscle relaxes
3) Longitudinal muscle relaxes
4) Bolus can form
5) Circular muscle contraction
6) Pushes against bolus 
Pattern of contraction results in slow, progressive movement of a pulse of urine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the entrance of ureters into the bladder

A

Ureters attach to posterior wall & pass through at an oblique angle for 2-3 cm into bladder
Ureter openings are slit like

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

What is the structure of the urinary bladder

A

Hollow muscular organ with funds & neck
Outer detrusor muscle layer
Inner mucosal layer
Trigone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the trigone?

A

Triangular sheet of muscle bounded by the openings of the ureters & entrance to urethra
Acts as a funnel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the inner mucosal layer of the urinary bladder

A

Transitional epithelium
Folded into rugae when bladder is empty
Highly elastic

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

What is the function of the urinary bladder?

A

Temporary store of urine - holds up to 1L

Stimulated to contract by parasympathetic nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the 2 sphincters controlling the exit of urine?

A

Internal urethral sphincter

External urethral sphincter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the internal urethral sphincter?

A
Loop of smooth muscle
Convergence of detrusor muscle
Under involuntary control
Normal tone keeps neck of bladder &. urethra free from urine
Impacted in incontinence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the external urethral sphincter?

A

Circular band of skeletal muscle where urethra passes through urogenital diaphragm
Acts as a valve with resting muscle control
Under voluntary control
Voluntary relaxation permits micturition
Damaged in childbirth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe the urethra in females

A

Opens via external urethral orifice between clitoris & vagina
Shorter urethra - higher risk of UTIs
External sphincter is not as well developed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe the urethra in males

A

Passes through prostate gland & through urogenital diaphragm & penis
Longer urethra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Describe prostate gland enlargement

A

Occurs in 50% of males above 60
Occurs along with hypertrophy of detrusor muscle
May require surgical or hormonal treatment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the 2 stages in emptying the bladder?

A

1) Bladder fills until pressure within bladder reaches a threshold level
2) Elicits micturition reflex which produces a conscious desire to urinate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What inhibits the autonomic reflex?

A

Higher centres in the brain inhibit the micturition reflex

Prevents micturition be stimulating continual tonic contraction of external sphincter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What facilitates the autonomic reflex?

A

Cortical centres in the brain facilitate urination by initiating micturition reflex & relaxing external sphincter.
Internal sphincter relaxes at same time & urination occurs

26
Q

When do periodic reflex contractions of a short duration occur?

A

Above 200ml or urine
In a partially full bladder the contractions spontaneously relax after a few seconds
Increasingly full bladder = contractions more frequent, intense & last longer.

27
Q

What nerves inhibit micturition?

A

Hypogastric

Pudenal nerve

28
Q

What nerves facilitate micturition?

A

Pelvic nerve

29
Q

What is the guarding reflex?

A

Promotes continence
During bladder filling there is progressive bladder distention which stimulates the pelvic nerve via activation of stretch receptors in bladder wall & internal sphincter
Activation of pelvic nerve stimulates hypogastric nerve
External sphincter is held closed by the pudenal nerve

30
Q

What does stimulation of the hypogastric nerve cause?

A

Relaxation & reduced excitability of bladder detrusor muscle
Constriction of internal sphincter

31
Q

What is the micturition reflex?

A

Bladder continues to fill with urine
Stretch receptors continue to stimulate pelvic nerve
Periodic reflex micturition contractions are stimulated above 200ml
Full bladder sensation is conveyed to thalamus –> cerebral cortex –> desire to urinate increases

32
Q

What does stimulation of the pelvic nerve cause?

A

Contraction of detrusor muscle

Relaxation of internal sphincter

33
Q

What aids micturition?

A

Lowering of diaphragm
Contraction of abdominal muscles
Opening of internal sphincter

34
Q

What is paraplegia?

A

Complete severing of nerve inputs from cerebral cortex
Micturition reflexes return without cortical control
Periodic unannounced bladder emptying = automatic bladder

35
Q

What happens with partial spinal cord damage with loss of inhibitory descending damage?

A

Frequent urination as excitatory impulse from cerebral cortex remain unopposed
Uninhibited bladder

36
Q

What happens if there is a crush injury of the dorsal roots?

A

Afferent nerve destruction –> micturition reflexes lost despite a complete efferent system
Bladder fills to capacity & overflows dropwise leading to overflow incontinence
Atonic bladder

37
Q

Why do infants lack voluntary control of urination?

A

The corticospinal connections aren’t established

38
Q

What can cause control of the micturition reflex to be lost?

A

Stroke injury
Alzheimer’s disease
Problems affecting cerebral cortex or hypothalamus such as a brain tumour

39
Q

What happens in urinary retention?

A

Compresses urethra & restricts urine flow

Bladder fills to capacity & there are no stretch receptors in the bladder leading to overflow incontinence

40
Q

What is incontinence?

A

Failure to store urine

41
Q

What is retention?

A

Failure to empty bladder

Due to bladder dysfunction or a problem with outlet of urine

42
Q

What can heighten the incontinence urge?

A
Spicy foods
Caffeine / chocolate
Citrus fruits
Carbonated beverages
Excitement or laughter
43
Q

How does acetylcholine lead to urinary incontinence?

A

Leads to detrusor muscle contraction & involuntary sphincter relaation

44
Q

What is the action of anticholinergics?

A

Inhibit bladder contractions to relax bladder

Facilitate involuntary contractions of internal bladder sphincter

45
Q

What is an example of an anticholinergic?

A

Oxybutinin

46
Q

What are the unwanted effects of anticholinergics?

A
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Palpitations
Drowsiness
Facial flushing
47
Q

What is imipramine?

A

Tricyclic antidepressant
Used in low doses for the short-term treatment of nocturnal enuresis for children above 10.
Can have side effects on withdrawal

48
Q

What is the mechanism of anticholinergics?

A

Anticholinergic & direct muscle relaxant effects on bladder
Inhibits re-uptake of noradrenaline & serotonin which increases their levels

49
Q

What is duloxetine?

A

Tricyclic antidepressant
Increases serotonin & noradrenaline levels
Use for moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence

50
Q

What is desmopressin?

A

ADH analogue

Useful in children for nocturnal bedwetting

51
Q

What is mirabegron?

A

Selective beta 3-receptor agonist
Useful for overactive bladder syndrome
Works through sympathetic nervous system

52
Q

What are some examples of tricyclic antidepressants?

A

Imipramine
Duloxetine
Desmopressin
Mirabegron

53
Q

When are purified bovine collagen implants used?

A

Useful for urinary incontinence

Surgical procedure

54
Q

How can acute urinary retention be treated?

A

Catheterisation

Surgery

55
Q

How can chronic urinary retention be treated?

A

Pharmacological intervention

Surgery

56
Q

What is the action of alpha adrenergic blocking drugs?

A

Antagonist effect at alpha 1A adrenoreceptor in neck of bladder
Relaxes smooth muscle at neck of bladder to increase urine flow rate

57
Q

What cautions are indicated for alpha adrenergic blocking drugs?

A

Can reduce blood pressure so be careful in patients receiving antihypertensives
Avoid in patients with postural hypotension

58
Q

What are the unwanted effects of alpha adrenergic blocking drugs?

A
Hypotension
Drowsiness
Depression
Headache
Dry mouth
Gi disturbances
59
Q

What is the action of parasympathomimetics (choline esters)?

A

Agonist action at muscarininc acetylcholine receptors
Increase contraction of bladder detrusor muscle
Limited role in the relief of urinary retention

60
Q

What is an example of a parasympathomimetic?

A

Bethanechol

61
Q

What cautions are there for the use of parasympathomimetics?

A
Those with cardiac disorders such as arrhythmias
GI ulceration
asthma
Hypotension
Epilepsy
Parkinsons
Pregnancy
62
Q

What are the unwanted effects of parasympathomimetics?

A
Nausea
Vomiting
Intestinal colic
Bradycardia
Blurred vision
Sweating