2.10 – Pressures acting on the bladder to maintain continence

To understand continence/incontinence we need an understanding of the significance of bladder and urethral pressure.

Bladder pressure forces urine out and urethral pressure keeps it in.

Urethral pressure is maintained by urethral sphincters and the pelvic floor.

Bladder pressure is increased by contraction of the detrusor muscle and also any rise in intra-abdominal pressure (coughing, laughing, sudden movements or pregnancy).

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