Neurourology and Urodynamics 7:509-519 (1988) Structural Aspects of Urethrovesical Function in the Female

Urodynamic investigations have provided detailed physiologic information which raises morphologic questions not easily answered by older descriptions of urethral anatomy. This article describes urethrovesical structure specifically as it has to do with urodynamic evaluation of the lower urinary tract. Key words: anatomy, urethra, urethral anatomy, urinary incontinence, urodynamics I NTRO D U CTlO N There have been a number of contributions to our understanding of the general structure of the female urethra and vesical neck as they have to do with urinary continence in women [Krantz, 1951; Ricci et al., 1950; Huisman, 1983; Gosling, 19851. These anatomical observations have allowed us to understand many functional aspects of this region. As new measurement techniques are applied to this area, physiologic observations continue to be made which are not entirely explained by previous morphological descriptions. The intent of this article is to focus on the structural aspects of the urethrovesical unit as they have to do with urodynamic observations of lower urinary tract function, and as they relate to urinary inconti