Urinestraal

Urinestraal is the jet of urine emitted during micturition. In Dutch medical terminology, it refers to the quality of the urinary stream, including its force, continuity, and direction.

The characteristics depend on bladder pressure, urethral diameter and elasticity, and pelvic floor function. A typical normal urinestraal is a single, steady, straight jet with minimal spraying and complete emptying.

Assessment is usually clinical observation but may be supplemented by instrumental testing. Uroflowmetry measures urinary flow rates during voiding and yields a flow–time curve with metrics such as maximum flow rate (Qmax), voided volume, and average flow. The pattern helps distinguish normal from obstructed streams and can aid in estimating post-void residual when combined with imaging.

Abnormal patterns include reduced flow, intermittent or spraying streams, double or split jets, dribbling, or hesitancy. Causes include bladder outlet obstruction (most commonly benign prostatic hyperplasia in men), urethral stricture, detrusor underactivity or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, bladder neck obstruction, stones, infections, or neurologic disorders affecting detrusor function.

Management focuses on treating the underlying cause and may involve pharmacotherapy (alpha-blockers and, for BPH, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors), urodynamic assessment, or procedures (dilation, urethrotomy, or prostate surgery) to improve the urine stream. The urinestraal is a component of the assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms.