Primary Purpose of the Bladder

The bladder is a primary organ of the urinary system. It's an elastic organ that is used for urine containment.

Location

• The bladder is located above the prostate in men. In women, it's located below the uterus and in front of the vagina.

Urine Containment

• As the kidneys filter uric acid and waste products from the blood, the urine is sent from the kidneys, through the ureters and down to the bladder where it is held until voluntary urination occurs.

Urination

• The bladder is a muscular organ. When it fills, sensors alert the individual of extension of the muscle, signaling its need to be emptied. Urination is voluntary unless infection or conditions affect muscle control.

Urination Mechanism

• When urination is initiated, an inner muscle lining contracts, pushing urine into the urethra for excretion.

Conditions

• The most common condition infecting the bladder is cystitis, which causes burning and a feeling of needing to frequently urinate. Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States.