Sphincter urethrae
You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.
| Sphincter urethrae membranaceae muscle | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| The male urethra laid open on its anterior (upper) surface. (Region visible, but muscle not labeled.) | ||
 | ||
| Coronal section of anterior part of pelvis, through the pubic arch. Seen from in front. (Region visible, but muscle not labeled.) | ||
| Latin | musculus sphincter urethrae externus urethrae masculinae, musculus sphincter urethrae membranaceae | |
| Gray's | subject #120 429 | |
| Origin: | junction of the inferior rami of the pubis and ischium to the extent of 1.25 to 2 cm., and from the neighboring fasciæ | |
| Insertion: | its fellow of the opposite side | |
| Artery: | ||
| Nerve: | perineal branch of the pudendal nerve (S2,3,4) | |
| Action: | Constricts urethra, maintain urinary continence | |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | m_22/12550858 | |
The urethral sphincter is a collective name for the muscles used to control the flow of urine from the urinary bladder. These muscles surround the urethra, so that when they contract, the urethra is closed.
- There are two distinct areas of muscle: the internal sphincter, at the bladder neck
- the external, or distal, sphincter
Human males have much stronger sphincter muscles than females, meaning that they can retain a large amount of urine for twice as long, as much as 800mL, i.e. "hold it".
Function
In addition to the internal and external sphincters, in the male only, the longer urethra, and the presence of the prostate gland help to close the urethra, preventing leakage.
Both sexes can use the levator ani, the voluntary muscle of the pelvic floor, to control urination. In females this muscle may be damaged, particularly by pregnancy, leading to weakness of the sphincter mechanism, and stress incontinence. Kegel exercises are a form of exercise intended to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. They are also known as Pelvic Floor Muscle Training.
Sphincter urethrae membranaceae
The Sphincter urethrae membranaceae surrounds the whole length of the membranous portion of the urethra, and is enclosed in the fasciæ of the urogenital diaphragm.
Its external fibers arise from the junction of the inferior rami of the pubis and ischium to the extent of 1.25 to 2 cm., and from the neighboring fasciæ.
They arch across the front of the urethra and bulbourethral glands, pass around the urethra, and behind it unite with the muscle of the opposite side, by means of a tendinous raphé.
Its innermost fibers form a continuous circular investment for the membranous urethra.
Additional images
 Right hip bone. Internal surface. |
External links
- LUC sphu
- sphincter+urethrae at eMedicine Dictionary
- SUNY Figs 41:06-04 - "Muscles of the female urogenital diaphragm (deep perineal pouch) and structures located inferior to it."
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
 | This muscle article is a stub. You can help WikiDoc by expanding it. |
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
