[Neuroanatomical study of micturition]

Abstract

There are three superimposed centres of micturition: the sacral spinal centre, which is the oldest centre controlled by the pontine centre situated in the brain stem, which in turn is under the control of multiple subconscious structures: cerebellum, striate nucleus, hypothalamus and conscious structures: limbic cortex, frontal ascending and parietal ascending circumduction. The nervous pathways consist of the classical spinal pathways as far as their point of emergence. The innervation involves 2 systems:--a supra-levator system consisting of the essentially sympathetic superior hypogastric plexus and the essentially parasympathetic inferior hypogastric plexus which innervates the seminal tract, the bladder and the prostatic urethra;--a infra-levator system consisting of the internal pudendal nerve which innervates the striated sphincter.