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Bladder Information

The bladder is an organ connected to the urethra, the tube that removes urine from the body. Responsible for transporting urine out of the body, the bladder is able to increase in size because of its flexible, hollow structure. A damaged or improperly functioning bladder can cause numerous problems with urination.

  1. Function

    • The bladder is responsible for storing and releasing urine into the urethra. NetDoctor.co.uk reports it can hold 400 to 600 ml of urine for up to five hours.

    Appearance

    • The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ shaped like a balloon. It swells and becomes round when it is full and becomes smaller when it is emptied.

    Location

    • The bladder is located around the upper part of the vagina and behind the uterus in females. In males, the bladder is located in front of the seminal vesicles and prostate gland.

    Size

    • The entire bladder lies within the pelvis when empty. When it is full, the top surface rises into the lower abdominal cavity.

    Complications

    • An improperly functioning bladder can cause complications such as urinary incontinence, retrograde ejaculation and bed wetting. It can also progress to bladder cancer.

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