In: Anatomy and Physiology
During the expulsion stage, how is urine retained in the bladder and why is this significant?
The pontine micturition centre (PMC) in the brain controls micturition, when the urinary bladder exceeds the limit of holding urine then micturition reflex is generated and the detrusor muscles of the urinary bladder contracts and squeeze the urine out from bladder and simultaneously the urethral sphincter opens and urine is expelled.
Normally some volume of urine is left in the urinary bladder after urination this remaining urine in bladder is called as postvoid residual volume. The volume of less than 50 ml is considered as normal postvoid residual volume. If the postvoid residual volume is more than 50 ml then it indicates urine retention. Urine retention can happen because of urinary tract infections or bening prostatic hyperplasia or bladder stones or due to decreased activity of detrusor muscles. Increase in postvoid residual volume increases the chances of urinary tract infections.