The Neuronal Control of the Lower Urinary Tract: A Model of Architecture and Control Mechanisms

Abstract

The human micturition cycle is controlled by central and peripheral nervous structures and connections. In literature, no complete or generally accepted model describes the principles of micturition control. In this paper, the integration of (neuro-)anatomy, (neuro-)physiology and control theory is used to describe and model the neuronal control of the lower urinary tract. Neuroanatomy supplies the most basic information necessary for the modellation of the peripheral pathways and central connections involved in the control of the uropoetic system. It is found that not all the nervous structures and connections have been identified as such yet. The linking up between several nervous structures (e.g., the presence of central and peripheral relay stations) is not completely clear. A s a consequence, each model to describe the micturition cycle from the perspective of control theory is yet of limited physiological value as it cannot exceed a rather general level of modellation. Adding functional considerations (neurophysiology and control theory) to the neuroanatomical skeleton completes the model. Some control mechanisms active during the micturition cycle can still not be revealed in detail. Crucial questions on the neuronal innervation of the human uropoetic system and the control mechanisms active during the micturition cycle remain, like how the supraspinal trigger mechanisms for micturition are organised, or how the voluntary cessation of voiding is realised. A simplified version of the model discussed in this paper can already be used for mathematical modelling, e.g., neural network simulations.