Postural accompaniments of the voluntary inhibition of micturition.

Abstract

Studies made on 5 [male] subjects indicate that the inhibition of micturition receives quantitative expression in postural and accessory mechanisms. Water intake was systematically controlled and subjects were instructed to inhibit micturition as long as possible. Palmar skin resistance and electromyograms from abdominal and perineal muscles were recorded under interval conditions of quiet rest, work, and sleep. In 1 expt. a correlation was found between general increments in postural activity and increments in intravesical pressure. It is argued that, while the cortical control centers are major factors in the inhibition of micturition, their relative quiescence during sleep does not permit the automatic expulsion of urine as soon as a critical vesical pressure is reached.