Physiology · Renal Physiology

Cystometrogram

2 min read

Definition

  • Cystometrogram is the graphic recording of intravesical pressure at increasing bladder volumes, obtained by cystometry.
  • Cystometry is the procedure of filling an emptied, catheterised bladder with water and recording intravesical pressure at each bladder volume to study the bladder's volume-pressure relationship.

Bladder Filling and Plasticity

  • Unless the bladder is filled, urine accumulates in it without much rise in intravesical pressure, because bladder wall smooth muscle exhibits plasticity.
  • Due to plasticity, tension produced by stretching the bladder wall is not maintained, so the bladder volume-pressure relationship is best studied by cystometry.