Neurohistochemical and electron microscopic techniques have been used to determine the autonomic innervation of smooth muscle in the normal human male and female bladder neck and proximal urethra. Numerous cholinergic nerves supply the bladder neck and female proximal urethra, although nerves of the noradrenergic type rarely are observed in these regions. In contrast the male proximal urethra is supplied richly with noradrenergic nerves, indicating that the region is under direct sympathetic control and functions to prevent vesical reflux of ejaculate. The sympathetic innervation of the human bladder neck and female proximal urethra is different from that in other species, a finding that emphasizes the need for caution when results obtained from experimental animals are applied to the human. The sex difference is the innervation of the human proximal urethra has been discussed, particularly in relation to autonomic blocking agents currently used in the treatment of bladder neck and urethral dysfunction.

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SUMMARY In a study of 100 spinal cords from children with neurospinal dysraphism, fibro‐fatty lesions were found in more than half. Lesions affecting the filum terminale were by far the most common. Six types of fibro‐fatty mass were seen: (1) Fibrolipomas of the filum terminale; (2) Dural fibrolipomas; (3) Leptomyelolipomas; (4) Diastematomyelia‐hamartomas; (5) Heterotopic tissues; (6) Implantation fat. Definitions and descriptions of these lesions are given, together with the surgical importance of their diagnosis. RÉSUMÉ Au cours de l'examen de cent moelles épinières provenant d'enfants ayant présenté une malformation de l'axe neuro‐spinal, des lésions fibro‐graisseuses ont été trouvées dans plus de la motié des cas. Les lésions frappant le filum terminal étaient de loin les plus fréquentes. Six variétés de masses fibro‐graisseuses ont été observées: (1) des fibro‐lipomes du filum terminal; (2) des fibro‐lipomes duraux; (3) des lepto‐myClolipomes; (4) des diastematomyélies‐hamartomes; (5) des hétérotopies; (6) des implantations graisseuses. Une définition et une description de ces lésions sont données, ainsi que la signification du diagnostic sur le plan chirurgical. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG In 100 Fällen wurde das Rückenmark von Kindern mit neurospinaler Dysraphie unter‐sucht, wobei fettig‐fibröse Veränderungen in mehr als der Hälfte gefunden wurden. Patho‐logische Veränderungen am filum terminale waren mit Abstand am häufigsten. Sechs Typen fettig‐fibräser Geschwälste wurden gesehen: (1) Fibrolipome des filum terminale; (2) Durale Fibrolipome; (3) Leptomyelolipome; (4) Diastematomyelia‐Hamartome; (5) Heterotope; (6) Implantationsfett. Definitionen und Beschreibungen dieser Veränderungen werden zusammen mit der chirurgischen Bedeutung ihrer Diagnose gegeben. RESUMEN En un estudio de 100 médulas espinales afectos de disrafia neuroespinal, se encontraron lesiones fibroadiposas en más de la mitad. Lesiones que afectaban el filum terminal eran con mucho las más frecuentes. Se encontraron seis tipos de masa fibroadiposa: (1) Fibrolipomas del filum terminal; (2) Fibrolipomas durales; (3) Leptomielolipomas; (4) Diastematomielia‐hamartomas; (5) Heterotópicos; (6) Grasa de implantación. Se dan definiciones y descripciones de estas lesiones, asi como la importancia cirúrgica desu diagnóstico.