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glossary of terms

Sphincter: a ring of muscle that when contracted, closes a tube e.g. the internal sphincter closes the urethra at the point where it leaves the bladder. When the muscle is relaxed, the tube is opened.

Urethra: the tube that runs from the bladder to the outside world, down which urine is evacuated.

Voiding: the act of urinating or defecating. i.e. emptying