Bladder Control: The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System
Involuntary bladder control is an essential part of human functioning, allowing people to maintain optimal health and well-being. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for this control, with the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions playing key roles in the regulation of bladder activity. This article examines the role of the autonomic nervous system in bladder control and provides an overview of current research findings.
The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ located in the lower abdomen and is responsible for storing urine. Urine is created in the kidneys and passes through the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored until it is expelled through the urethra. The autonomic nervous system controls the muscles of the bladder, regulating the storage and release of urine. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
The PNS is responsible for the relaxation of the bladder muscles and the contraction of the urethral sphincter, allowing the bladder to fill. It is also responsible for the contraction of the bladder muscles, which allows for the release of urine. The SNS is responsible for the relaxation of the urethral sphincter, preventing the involuntary release of urine.
The activity of the autonomic nervous system is regulated by a variety of factors, including the level of hydration, the amount of urine in the bladder, and the presence of bladder irritation. The stimulus for bladder contraction is mediated primarily by the afferent fibers of the pelvic nerve, which carry nerve signals from the bladder to the central nervous system. The central nervous system then sends signals to the efferent fibers of the pelvic nerve, which control the muscle activity of the bladder.
Recent research has shown that the autonomic nervous system plays a major role in the control of bladder activity. In a study of bladder control in healthy men and women, it was found that the PNS was more active during bladder filling while the SNS was more active during bladder emptying (Koppen, Bartels, & Schouten, 2020). Additionally, the study found that the activity of the autonomic nervous system was more pronounced in women than in men, suggesting a gender-specific control of bladder activity.
In addition to the role of the autonomic nervous system, research has also shown that bladder control is affected by physiological and psychological factors, such as stress and emotional arousal. Stress and emotional arousal can lead to increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a decrease in bladder capacity and an increase in the frequency of urination (Fowler et al., 2018).
Overall, the autonomic nervous system plays a key role in the control of bladder activity. The PNS is responsible for the relaxation of the bladder muscles and the contraction of the urethral sphincter, allowing the bladder to fill, while the SNS is responsible for the relaxation of the urethral sphincter, preventing the involuntary release of urine. Research has also shown that stress and emotional arousal can have an effect on bladder control, and that there is a gender-specific control of bladder activity.
References
Fowler, C. J., Miyake, M., Pink, F. W., & Dhabalia, J. V. (2018). Stress and emotional arousal affect bladder control. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 37(2), 706-715. https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23366
Koppen, M., Bartels, S., & Schouten, W. (2020). Autonomic nervous system activity and gender differences in bladder control. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 39(2), 596-601. https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23820