Comparison of pressure measurements in the lower urinary and lower fecal pathways.

The bladder and rectal ampullae have similar but not identical innervation from the spinal cord S2 to S4. A comparison of the functional behavior of the bladder and rectal ampullae was done with a cystometrogram and an ampullometrogram. The behavior of the urethral and anal sphincters was compared with electromyography and pressure profiles. In 20 patients there was a close relationship between the functional behavior of the lower urinary and lower fecal pathways.