STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE URETHRAL SPHINCTER IN MEN

Abstract

The urethral sphincter is considered to be composed of two components: the internal sphincter, which represents a direct continuation of the detrusor smooth muscle, and the striated external sphincter. From a clinical standpoint, the bladder neck–proximal urethra normally functions as a sphincter in both sexes. Anatomically there is a unique mixture of smooth and striated muscle, intracellular matrix, and mucosal components contributing to the functional sphincter.