Micturition and the soul

This great heading introduces an article by Gert Holstege (1) in which he describes the "close connection between micturition and emotion". He points out that "several species use micturition to signal important messages as territorial demarcation and sexual attraction". And goes on to point out that it is for this reason that "micturition is coordinated ... in the brainstem, where it is closely connected to the limbic system". Brain lesions on the mictirition control center of the pons cause Overactive Bladder (OAB) and urge-incontinence. What is interesting is that nucleus of Onuf (ON) controls both the somatic motoneurons controlling the urethral and anal external sphincter and some other muscles, which together form the pelvic floor. The ON is also involved in e.g. abdominal muscle regulation, breathing etc. The author suggests that micturition problems may be related to disrupted communication between the brainstem (where micturition is controlled) and the forebrain. The orbitofrontal cortex, that should be strongly activated is only weakly activated.

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(1) Holstege G. Micturition and the soul. J Comp Neurol 493:15-20, 2005