Pontine micturition center

The pontine micturition center (PMC), also known as Barrington's nucleus, is a critical component of the nervous system involved in the control of urination. It is located in the pons of the brainstem and plays a key role in the coordination of the urinary bladder and urethral sphincter muscles.

Function

The pontine micturition center is responsible for initiating the process of micturition, or urination. It receives signals from the cerebral cortex and the hypothalamus, which help determine the appropriate time and place for urination. Once activated, the PMC sends signals through the spinal cord to the sacral micturition center, which then coordinates the contraction of the detrusor muscle of the bladder and the relaxation of the external urethral sphincter.

Neural Pathways

The PMC is part of a complex network of neural pathways that regulate bladder function. It communicates with the periaqueductal gray and other brain regions to integrate sensory information from the bladder and modulate the micturition reflex. The PMC's output is primarily through the pontine reticulospinal tract, which influences the autonomic nervous system to control bladder and sphincter activity.

Clinical Significance

Dysfunction of the pontine micturition center can lead to various urinary disorders, such as urinary incontinence or urinary retention. Damage to the PMC or its pathways, which can occur due to neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury, can disrupt normal bladder control and lead to significant clinical challenges.

See Also

• Urinary system
• Neurogenic bladder
• Autonomic nervous system

References

• de Groat, W. C., & Yoshimura, N. (2006). Mechanisms underlying the recovery of lower urinary tract function following spinal cord injury. Progress in Brain Research, 152, 59-84.
• Fowler, C. J., Griffiths, D., & de Groat, W. C. (2008). The neural control of micturition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(6), 453-466.

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