Where is the urethral sphincter

The bladder expands like an elastic sac to hold more urine. As it reaches capacity, the process of micturition, or urination, begins.

Involuntary muscle movements send signals to the nervous system, putting the decision to urinate under conscious control. The internal urethral sphincter and the external urethral sphincter both provide muscle control for the flow of urine. The internal sphincter is involuntary.

It surrounds the opening of the bladder to the urethra and relaxes to allow urine to pass. The external sphincter is voluntary. It surrounds the urethra outside the bladder and must be relaxed for urination to occur. The bladder is shaped like a pyramid when empty. It becomes more oval as it fills with urine and expands. A smooth muscle called the detrusor surrounds the bladder, and folds called rugae line the interior wall.

These structures give the bladder elasticity and allow it to expand. The floor of the bladder includes a funnel-like region called the trigone , formed by the two ureteral orifices and the internal urethral sphincter.

Urine flows into the bladder via the ureteral orifices and out through the internal sphincter. Micturition, or urination, is the act of emptying the bladder.

When the bladder is full of urine, stretch receptors in the bladder wall trigger the micturition reflex. An AUS is made up of 3 parts:. To urinate with an AUS, you must squeeze the pump in your scrotum. The pump moves fluid from the urethral cuff into the balloon, allowing the cuff to open or deflate and your urethra to open. Your cuff stays open for about 3 minutes so that you can urinate.

The cuff will close automatically. Your healthcare provider will give you information about how to get ready for your surgery. Be sure to follow their instructions.

Your surgeon will then place your AUS. You will have a catheter and other medical devices connected to your body after your surgery, including:. These devices are usually removed before you leave the hospital.

If you will leave the hospital with any of them in place, your healthcare provider will teach you how to care for them. Your urine may leak from your AUS after your surgery. This is normal and will stop once the AUS has been activated by your doctor about 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery. Your healthcare provider will give you an order form.

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