# cycle

cycle

Storage phase The storage phase of  the micturition cycle requires relaxation of  the detrusor to ensure low-pressure filling, and contraction of  the smooth and striated muscle of  the bladder neck, urethra and external urethral sphincter to ensure continence. The higher centres in the cortex receive low-intensity a ff erent signals during bladder filling, which in turn induces the PMC to inhibit micturition by inhibiting parasympathetic innervation (result ing in detrusor relaxation) and activating somatic innervation (resulting in closure of  the bladder outlet). Glutamate is the principal e ff erent neurotransmitter involved in activating the pudendal nerve through Onuf ’s n ucleus. Detrusor relaxation and bladder outlet contraction are achieved through sympa thetic β -noradrenergic activity , resulting in direct relaxation 3 of  the detrusor smooth muscle; inhibition of  parasympathetic ganglia, resulting in indirect relaxation of  the detrusor smooth muscle; and α -noradrenergic activity , resulting in contraction 1 of  the smooth muscle of  the bladder neck and urethra. Further more, somatic cholinergic activity results in contraction of  the striated external urethral sphincter. Voiding phase The voiding phase of  the micturition cycle requires coordi nated detrusor contraction and relaxation of  the bladder outlet to ensure complete bladder emptying. When the desire to void is strong enough, the higher centres in the cortex receive high-intensity a ff erent signals from the bladder, which in turn switc hes the PMC to ‘voiding’ mode. The PMC then activates micturition by activating parasympathetic nerves and inhibiting somatic nerves (by cessation of  the glutamate e ff ect on Onuf ’s nucleus). This is achieved through parasympathetic cholinergic activity via M3 receptors, resulting in detrusor contraction, and central inhibition of  somatic and sympathetic nerves, resulting in relaxation of  the bladder outlet.