Urethral sphincter

Urethral Sphincter

The urethral sphincter is a group of muscles that control the release of urine from the urinary bladder. It is a part of the urinary system and is located in the pelvis region. The urethral sphincter is composed of two distinct muscles: the internal urethral sphincter and the external urethral sphincter.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The urethral sphincter is located in the lower part of the pelvis, surrounding the urethra. It is composed of two muscles: the internal urethral sphincter and the external urethral sphincter.

Internal Urethral Sphincter[edit | edit source]

The internal urethral sphincter is a smooth muscle that is involuntary in nature. It is located at the neck of the urinary bladder and is responsible for preventing the leakage of urine when there is no urge to urinate.

External Urethral Sphincter[edit | edit source]

The external urethral sphincter is a skeletal muscle that is voluntary in nature. It surrounds the urethra and provides control over the release of urine from the body.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the urethral sphincter is to control the release of urine from the body. The internal urethral sphincter prevents the leakage of urine when there is no urge to urinate, while the external urethral sphincter provides control over the release of urine.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Dysfunction of the urethral sphincter can lead to urinary incontinence, a condition characterized by the inability to control urination. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, obesity, pregnancy, and neurological disorders.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Urethral sphincter Resources
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