Urinary bladder

In the anatomy of mammals, the urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys prior to disposal by urination. Urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra.

Anatomy

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular and distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor (superior to the prostate in males). On its anterior border lies the pubic symphysis and, on its posterior border, the vagina (in females) and rectum.

The ureters enter the bladder diagonally from its dorsolateral floor toward the midline.

A normal human bladder has a capacity of 400 to 500 ml.
The study of the function of the bladder is called urodynamics

Diseases of the bladder

• cystitis
• interstitial cystitis
• cystolithiasis
• cancer of the urinary bladder: bladder cancer
• urinary bladder dysfunction
• bladder sphincter dyssynergia, a condition where the sufferer cannot coordinate relaxation of the urethra sphincter with the contraction of the bladder muscles
• urinary incontinence
• hematuria, or presence of blood in the urine, is a reason to seek medical attention without delay, as it is a symptom of bladder cancer as well as bladder and kidney stones.