The lower urinary tract

Question 1

Outline the structure of a ureter

Answer 1

Mucosal layer which is up to 8 cells thick and is impermeable to urine and it has layers of smooth muscle, inner: longitudinal muscle and outer: circular muscle

Question 2

outline peristalsis in the ureters

Answer 2

Works through waves of contraction of longitudinal and circular muscle. longitudinal muscle contracts first then circular muscle contracts.

Question 3

Where do the ureters attach to

Answer 3

they attach to the posterior wall of the urinary bladder.

Question 4

What is the trigone

Answer 4

The triangular area bounded by openings of ureters and entrance to urethra.

Question 5

Outline the structure of the bladder

Answer 5

A hollow muscular organ has an outer muscular layer and inner mucosal layer

Question 6

Where are the two sphincters of the bladder located

Answer 6

internal urethra sphincter: a loop of smooth muscle and is under involuntary control.

external urethral sphincter: a circular band of skeletal muscle where the urethra passes through the urogenital diaphragm. under voluntary control.

Question 7

describe the process of urination

Answer 7

Two-stage process: bladder progressively fills until the pressure in bladder reaches threshold level which then elicits a micturition reflex which produces a conscious desire to urinate.

Question 8

Describe bladder filling

Answer 8

progressive bladder distention stimulates the pelvic nerve via activation of stretch receptors in the bladder wall and internal sphincter. activation of the pelvic nerve activates the hypogastric nerve which constricts the internal sphincter and is the guarding reflex (promotes continence)

Question 9

what are the 3 types of Urinary incontinence

Answer 9

loss of sensory nerves- due to injury:
bladder fills to capacity, no signals from stretch receptors in the bladder

involuntary bladder contraction- due to injury:
increased frequency and urge incontinence

heightened urge incontinence-sensitive bladder:
caffeine, spicy food, citrus fruits and carbonated beverages

Question 10

What are treatments for the two types of urinary retention

Answer 10

acute urinary retention: catheterisation, surgery

chronic urinary retention: pharmacological intervention, surgery