Definition

1. Noun:
   • A ring of muscle controlling urination: The urethral sphincter is a specific, striated (striped) muscle that surrounds the urethra. Its primary function is to constrict (tightly close) the urethra to retain urine in the bladder and to relax to allow urination.

Usage

The term "urethral sphincter" is a precise anatomical term used in medical, biological, and physiological contexts. It refers specifically to the muscular structure responsible for voluntary control over the flow of urine.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Damage to the urethral sphincter can lead to urinary incontinence.
  • The surgeon carefully repaired the patient's urethral sphincter after the procedure.
  • Control of the urethral sphincter is learned during childhood development.

Advanced Usage

• "Internal/External Urethral Sphincter": In detailed anatomy, the term is often specified. The internal urethral sphincter is involuntary (smooth muscle), while the external urethral sphincter is the voluntary, striated muscle typically referred to by the general term "urethral sphincter".
  • The external urethral sphincter is under conscious control.

Variants and Related Words

• Sphincter (n): The general term for a circular muscle that contracts to close an opening in the body. The urethral sphincter is one type.
  • The anal sphincter controls the release of feces.
• Urinary sphincter (n): A less specific, synonymous term often used interchangeably with "urethral sphincter".

Synonyms

• Urinary sphincter: A direct synonym.
• Bladder sphincter: A less precise synonym, as it refers to control of the bladder's outlet.

Related Phrases

• Sphincter muscle: The general category of muscle to which it belongs.
• Sphincter control: Refers to the neurological and muscular ability to manage this and similar muscles.

Noun

1. a striated sphincter muscle that constricts the urethra