Ureteral nerves have been dissected, described, photographed and successfully stimulated. Acceleration of peristalsis by sympathomimetic drugs has been easily demonstrated. Critical experiments have also demonstrated depression of peristalsis by β-adrenergic drugs.A paradox remains to be solved, in that the ureter is as richly innervated by cholinergic nerves as it is by adrenergic. Because of the greater complexity of cholinergic nerve distribution and interrelation with the adrenergic, and possibly because of the subtlety of their function, it is more difficult to demonstrate or to evoke a clear-cut parasympathetic response. We herein present a summary of the evidence which supports a functional role for ureteral nerves and proposes the establishment of a ureteral neurology.

No abstract