Qualitative analysis of the four-channel, high-resolution urethral pressure profile of the female dog.

Four-channel urethral pressure profiles (UPP's) were measured on six female dogs with an improved perfused open tip technique. A four-channel catheter with one side-hole per channel was used to measure four UPP's simultaneously in different directions. The dynamic properties of the system have been improved significantly by replacing the conventional perfusion system by a pneumo-hydraulic perfusion system, according to the design of Arndorfer. The UPP's thus obtained consistently show multiple peaks which depend on catheter orientation. These observations are explained in terms of the presence of several symmetrical as well as asymmetrical muscles in and around the canine urethral wall. Clinical application of the developed technique is expected to yield new information on the functional anatomy of the human urethra.