Mechanical properties of the urethra in healthy female volunteers: Static measurements in the resting urethra

A pressure/cross‐sectional area probe was used for measurement of related values of pressure (P ura ) and cross‐sectional area (CA) at static circumstances in the resting urethra in 30 healthy females. Measurements were performed at the bladder neck in the high‐pressure zone and distally in the urethra. From the two variables urethral elastance and hysteresis were calculated. The mean urethral elastance (i.e., dP ura /dCA) was found to be of the order of 1 cm H 2 O/mm 2 all along the urethra. No correlation could be established between the elastance and age or parity. The mean hysteresis was of the order of 20–25 cm H 2 O along the urethra. Urethral hysteresis appeared to be a time‐dependent phenomenon.