CAT AND DOG - HIGHER CENTER OF MICTURITION

The nervous control of micturition in the pontine level was studied us ing cats and dogs as research specimens. Two techniques for this purpo se were employed: (1) electrical and chemical stimulations research an d (2) nerve tracing research. This investigation suggests that two dis tinct pontine centers exist, the commonly known pontine micturition ce nter (PMC) which is responsible for urine emptying, and a second, very important pontine center which functions as the urine storage facilit ator (PUSFC). The PMC, which triggers bladder contractions and micturi tion, is located in the nucleus locus coerleus alpha (LCa). The second center (PUSFC) is located in the nucleus locus subcoerleus (LSC). Mic turition is controlled by close coordinate operation of both centers i n the pontine level. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.