Neurologic Control of Micturition

A basic understanding of the neurologic control of micturition is essential to enable the gynecologist to deal with voiding dysfunction. In the normal state, various elements of the nervous system allow bladder relaxation for urine storage, bladder contraction, and urethral relaxation to initiate voiding and finally relaxation of the bladder and contraction of the urethra to end voiding. In the abnormal state, integration between the nervous system and the bladder breaks down, and voiding dysfunction results. This review examines each element of the central and peripheral nervous system, its role in micturition, and how various neurologic disorders affect micturition.