Spinal cord injury can be a devastating problem for patients. There is often significant weakness, loss of sensation and coordination, and some patients may never walk again. Almost everyone knows this. But what about other the other functions of the cord that we don't often talk about? In this week's episode, we review how the spinal cord controls bladder function, and why it's important to know what happens when this circuitry is interrupted.

Produced by James E. Siegler. Music by Andy Cohen & Steve Combs. Voiceover by Erika Mejia. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision making.

REFERENCES

1. Seth JH, Panicker JN, Fowler CJ. The neurological organization of micturition. Handbook of clinical neurology. 2013;117:111-117
2. Samson G, Cardenas DD. Neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2007;18:255-274, vi
3. de Groat WC, Griffiths D, Yoshimura N. Neural control of the lower urinary tract. Compr Physiol. 2015;5:327-396