Clinical pharmacology of the lower urinary tract. New aspects.

Neurohistochemical, electron-microscopic, pharmacological and urodynamic investigations have over the past 10 years led to a new concept of the innervation and function of the lower urinary tract. A survey is given of the peripheral innervation, transmitters and receptor functions in the parasympathetic, sympathetic, somatic and sensory innervation of the lower urinary tract. Based on this, rational principles of pharmacological treatment are outlined in the management of the most common dysfunctions of detrusor function and the urethral closure mechanism. Furthermore, a survey is given of dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract which may arise inadvertently during pharmacotherapy of disorders of other organ systems.